Percival Keene
Page 35
CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE.
As I said before, the lane was very narrow, not admitting more than onevehicle to go along it, and was sunk between the hedges on each side, soas to render it not very easy to climb up the bank. The parties whopresented themselves were, first a cow with her tail turned towards me,evidently a wicked one, as she was pawing and bellowing in a low tone,and advancing towards two people who were the object of her attack. Onewas a very little man, dressed in black, the other a stout burly youngfellow in a shooting-jacket; but what amused me most was, that the stoutyoung fellow, instead of being in the advance to defend one so muchsmaller than himself, not only kept behind the little man, but actuallynow and then held him by the shoulders before his own person, as ashield to ward off the expected attack of the vicious animal. It istrue that the little personage expostulated, and spoke several times ina tone of command to his companion, but his words were unheeded, and thecow advanced, and they retreated in the order which I have described.
I quickened my pace, so as to gain rapidly upon them, and was soon but afew yards from the animal. I had no stick or weapon of any kind, butstill I knew how to manage unruly cattle as sailors do when they weresent on board ship alive. Indeed I had more than once put it intopractice myself; and although with a bull it was not a very easy matter,with a cow I felt certain that I could effect my purpose.
The animal appeared now determined to come to close quarters; and Itherefore approached her until I was about a couple of feet from herflank, all ready for a spring, in case she should see me, and turnround. But she was too busy with the parties in front of her, and atlast she made a run. The stout young man pushed the little man towardsthe cow, and then ran for it. The little one, in his attempt to recoil,fell on the turf, and the cow made at him. I sprang forward, andcatching the horn of the animal farthest from me in my right hand, atthe same time put my left knee on the horn nearest to me, threw all myweight upon it, so as to turn the animal's nose up in the air, andseizing it by the nostrils with the other hand, I held her head in thatposition, which of course rendered the animal harmless. In thatposition the cow went over the prostrate man without doing him anyinjury, plunging and capering, so as to extricate herself from myweight. I remained clinging to her for about ten yards further, when Iperceived the stout fellow ahead, who hallooed out, "Hold her tight!hold her tight!" but that I would no longer do, as it was fatiguingwork; so, as a punishment for his cowardice, I let go the animal,springing clear off, and behind it, the cow galloping away as fast asshe could down the lane, and the fellow screaming and running before asfast as he could.
Having thus rid myself of the cow and the coward, I turned back to wherethe other party had been left on the ground, and found him standing up,and looking at what was passing. "You're not hurt, sir?" said I.
"No, thanks to you; but no thanks to that rascally clerk of mine, whowanted to shove me on the cow's horns to save himself."
"He has a run for it now, at all events;" replied I, laughing, "and Ilet the cow loose on purpose; for if I had held on, and used all mystrength, I could have brought her down on her side and kept her down.Oh! there's a break in the bank, and he has climbed up it, so he is safefor a good fright," continued I; "and now we had better get awayourselves; for the animal may come back, and, although one can pin herin that way from behind, it is not to be done when she comes stem on toyou."
"Well, sir, I have heard of taking the bull by the horns as not being avery wise thing; but taking a cow by them has probably saved my life. Ithank you."
"We manage them that way on board ship," replied I, laughing.
"You are a sailor, then, sir," replied the little man. "Probably I havethe pleasure of addressing Captain Keene?"
"That is my name," replied I; "but here is the cow coming back, and thesooner we get to the gate the better. I'm not ashamed to run for it,and I suppose you are not either." So saying, I took to my heels,followed by my new companion, and we very soon put the barred gatebetween us and our enemy.
"I will wish you good day now, sir," said I; "I am going to the Hall."
"I am also bound there, Captain Keene," replied my companion, "and, withyour permission, will accompany you. Egad, we may meet another cow,"said he, laughing, "and I prefer being in your company."
He then informed me that he was the solicitor and agent of theHonourable Miss Delmar, and had been sent for about some new leases, andthat his name was Warden. During our walk I found him a very cheerful,merry little man, and a very good companion.
On our arrival at the Hall, Mr Warden was informed that Miss Delmar wasnot able to receive him just then, as she was very busy with Lord deVersely, who was with her in her private room. I therefore remainedwith Mr Warden for about an hour, when Lord de Versely came down andjoined us. He appeared to be in a remarkable gay humour, and shook mewarmly by the hand when he came in.
"Now, Mr Warden, you are to go up and receive your instructions, andrecollect, the sooner everything is executed the better."
Mr Warden left the room, and I narrated to his lordship the adventurewith the cow. Just as I had begun it, Colonel Delmar came in, andlistened to my narration.
In about half an hour Mr Warden came down-stairs, and with a verysmiling face.
"Well, Mr Warden," said his lordship, "have you your instructions?"
"Yes, my lord and I assure you that I never shall execute any with somuch pleasure. Has Captain Keene told you how he saved my life thismorning?"
"No, he did not say that," replied his lordship; "but he has told meabout the cow, and your clerk putting you foremost in the breach."
"She would have made a breach in me I expect, if it had not been for thecaptain," replied Mr Warden; "and you may therefore believe me, mylord, when I say that I shall obey my instructions with pleasure. Iwish you good morning. Good morning, Captain Keene. Colonel, your mostobedient." So saying, Mr Warden left the room. I was very much struckwith Mr Warden's observation, that he would execute his instructionswith so much pleasure; and when I turned round, I perceived that ColonelDelmar was looking very grave; but the first dinner bell rang, and weall went to our rooms to dress. Well, thought I, as I was dressingmyself, I presume the old lady has left me a thousand or two in herwill. I cared little about that, and then I dismissed the subject frommy thoughts; but as I sat by Miss Delmar after dinner, I could not helpthinking that her manner towards me was more affectionate than it hadbeen before; the _hauteur_ with which her civility and kindness hadhitherto been blended appeared to have been thrown aside; I presumedthat Lord de Versely had been speaking in my favour, and felt gratefulto him for his kindness. Perhaps, thought I, he has revealed to her thesecret of my birth, and she now considers me as a relation; perhaps shemay have left me more than I supposed. However, it is of littleconsequence.