As I said before, the lane was very narrow, not admitting more than one
vehicle to go along it, and was sunk between the hedges on each side, so
as to render it not very easy to climb up the bank. The parties who
presented 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. One
was a very little man, dressed in black, the other a stout burly young
fellow in a shooting-jacket; but what amused me most was, that the stout
young fellow, instead of being in the advance to defend one so much
smaller than himself, not only kept behind the little man, but actually
now and then held him by the shoulders before his own person, as a
shield to ward off the expected attack of the vicious animal. It is
true that the little personage expostulated, and spoke several times in
a tone of command to his companion, but his words were unheeded, and the
cow 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 a
few yards from the animal. I had no stick or weapon of any kind, but
still I knew how to manage unruly cattle as sailors do when they were
sent on board ship alive. Indeed I had more than once put it into
practice 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 I
therefore approached her until I was about a couple of feet from her
flank, all ready for a spring, in case she should see me, and turn
round. But she was too busy with the parties in front of her, and at
last she made a run. The stout young man pushed the little man towards
the 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, and
catching the horn of the animal farthest from me in my right hand, at
the same time put my left knee on the horn nearest to me, threw all my
weight upon it, so as to turn the animal's nose up in the air, and
seizing it by the nostrils with the other hand, I held her head in that
position, which of course rendered the animal harmless. In that
position the cow went over the prostrate man without doing him any
injury, plunging and capering, so as to extricate herself from my
weight. I remained clinging to her for about ten yards further, when I
perceived the stout fellow ahead, who hallooed out, "Hold her tight!
hold her tight!" but that I would no longer do, as it was fatiguing
work; so, as a punishment for his cowardice, I let go the animal,
springing clear off, and behind it, the cow galloping away as fast as
she could down the lane, and the fellow screaming and running before as
fast as he could.
Having thus rid myself of the cow and the coward, I turned back to where
the 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, who
wanted 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 I
let the cow loose on purpose; for if I had held on, and used all my
strength, 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 safe
for a good fright," continued I; "and now we had better get away
ourselves; for the animal may come back, and, although one can pin her
in that way from behind, it is not to be done when she comes stem on to
you."
"Well, sir, I have heard of taking the bull by the horns as not being a
very wise thing; but taking a cow by them has probably saved my life. I
thank you."
"We manage them that way on board ship," replied I, laughing.
"You are a sailor, then, sir," replied the little man. "Probably I have
the pleasure of addressing Captain Keene?"
"That is my name," replied I; "but here is the cow coming back, and the
sooner 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 gate
between 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, with
your 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 the
Honourable Miss Delmar, and had been sent for about some new leases, and
that 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 was
not able to receive him just then, as she was very busy with Lord de
Versely, who was with her in her private room. I therefore remained
with Mr Warden for about an hour, when Lord de Versely came down and
joined us. He appeared to be in a remarkable gay humour, and shook me
warmly by the hand when he came in.
"Now, Mr Warden, you are to go up and receive your instructions, and
recollect, the sooner everything is executed the better."
Mr Warden left the room, and I narrated to his lordship the adventure
with the cow. Just as I had begun it, Colonel Delmar came in, and
listened to my narration.
In about half an hour Mr Warden came down-stairs, and with a very
smiling 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 so
much pleasure. Has Captain Keene told you how he saved my life this
morning?"
"No, he did not say that," replied his lordship; "but he has told me
about 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 the
captain," replied Mr Warden; "and you may therefore believe me, my
lord, when I say that I shall obey my instructions with pleasure. I
wish you good morning. Good morning, Captain Keene. Colonel, your most
obedient." So saying, Mr Warden left the room. I was very much struck
with Mr Warden's observation, that he would execute his instructions
with so much pleasure; and when I turned round, I perceived that Colonel
Delmar was looking very grave; but the first dinner bell rang, and we
all went to our rooms to dress. Well, thought I, as I was dressing
myself, I presume the old lady has left me a thousand or two in her
will. I cared little about that, and then I dismissed the subject from
my thoughts; but as I sat by Miss Delmar after dinner, I could not help
thinking that her manner towards me was more affectionate than it had
been before; the _hauteur_ with which her civility and kindness had
hitherto been blended appeared to have been thrown aside; I presumed
that Lord de Versely had been speaking in my favour, and felt grateful
to him for his kindness. Perhaps, thought I, he has revealed to her the
secret of my birth, and she now considers me as a relation; perhaps she
may have left me more than I supposed. However, it is of little
consequence.