She liked being patted. That exasperated Dad. He hit her on
the head with his fist. Joe ran out with a long stick. He poked her in
the flank. Nell kicked the stick out of his hands and bolted towards the
dam. Dad pulled and swore as she bore him along. And when he did haul
her in, he was two hundred yards further from the doctor. Dad turned her
round and once more used the waddy. Nell was obdurate, Dad exhausted.
Joe joined them, out of breath. He poked Nell with the stick again. She
"kicked up." Dad lost his balance. Joe laughed. Dad said, "St-o-op!"
Joe was energetic. So was Nell. She kicked up again--strong--and Dad
fell off.
"Wot, could'n' y' s-s-s-stick to 'er, Dad?" Joe asked.
"STICK BE DAMNED--run--CATCH her!--D----N y'!"
Joe obeyed.
Dad made another start, and this time Nell went willingly. Dad was
leading her!
Those two old horses are dead now. They died in the summer when there was
lots of grass and water--just when Dad had broken them into harness--just
when he was getting a good team together to draw logs for the new railway
line!
CHAPTER XX.
The Cow We Bought.
When Dad received two hundred pounds for the wheat he saw nothing but
success and happiness ahead.
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