The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1921-01-12
freed BY CATTLE
Childish Adventure That Might
Have Been Tragic.
Dogs Impetuosity Got His Little Com
panions Into Trouble Which Near
~ Had Serious Ending.

During my early childhood at the
old homestead in Illinois. writes a con-
tributor, my older sister. Lois, my
brother, Marion, and myself, in COM
many with a neighbor girl, Martha
Wilson, had many interesting expert
ences in rambling through the woods
not far from our house.
We we're accompanied on one trip by
our faithful dog. Old Bull, as we al
WAYS called him. While we waded
through the tangle of vines, rose
bushes and other shrubbery, Old Bull
raced through the woods in quest OF
rabbits and other game. Finally, tree
ing a squirrel, he made the woods re-
sound with his eager barks. Some cat
tie grazing on the hillside raised their
heads and started out to investigate.
Others Joined them, and when they
saw the dog they all made rush for
him. Old Bull bolted for the cemetery
that we had entered out Of curiosity
and, leaping the fence. took refuge
with us. My sister. Lois. scolded him
and would have quieted him. but
Martha kept sicking him at them.
He needed very little encourage
ment, and his constant barking and
the bawling of the cattle attracted the
attention of all the other cattle. and
they came galloping up to join In the
fray. As the fence did not appear very
strong, Martha and Lois decided that
we had better try to slip out at the
opposite side of the cemetery. This
plan might have worked successfully
If had been older, but ! was only
five years old and very badly fright
ened. Old Bull followed US, barking
as he went, and the cattle were close
behind. We had gone only short dis
lance from the cemetery when the
whole drove came plunging and bawl-
ing after US.
Fortunately. there was fallen tree
In which we took refuge, but as II was
only a few feet from the ground we
were safe only as long as Old Bull
could hold them at bay. Martha and
Marion kept sicking him at the cattle.
while Lois tried to quiet me. The
noise of the dog and Of the cattle
threw me into a paroxysm OF terror.
The cattle. standing all about US,
would below and bawl. toss their
horns and paw up the ground. Sud-
denly one made a lunge for the dog,
and he ran back under our fallen tree,
and the cattle moved in little closer.
Then the dog redoubled his efforts
and dashed frantically at the cattle,
first in one direction, then in another.
But Old Bull was becoming exhaust
ed. and the cattle we're gradually clos
ing In. They acted more like wild
beasts than domesticated cattle.
Even Martha was frightened, al
though she was too brave to cry. The
maddened animals would soon toss us
on their horns and trample US under
foot. Desperately the dog made his
last rush and then dropped back un-
der our tree exhausted.
The cattle we're rushing In upon US
with loud bellows when a farmer
heard the deafening noise and came
running toward Us. He seized a big
club and, calling up his two dogs,
drove the cattle back to a safe dis
lance.
Martha and Lois had almost to carry
me. for l was Frustrated from the
fright and the noise.
Old Bull. after a good drink Of wa
ter, crept under the welcome shade of
an old apple tree. and our mothers
welcomed us with open arms when
they saw our disheveled appearance.
-YOuth's COmpaniOn,