n shearer--did it for
four shillings and six pence. Wanted five bob, but Dad beat him down.
Anybody else would have asked a pound.

When Nell DID make up her mind to go, it was with a rush, and, if the
slip-rails were on the ground, she'd refuse to take them. She'd stand
and look out into the lane. You'd have to get off and drag the rails
aside (about twenty, counting broken ones). Then she'd fancy they were
up, and would shake her head and mark time until you dug your heels
into her; then she'd gather herself together and jump high enough for a
show--over nothing!

Dave was to ride Nell to town one Christmas to see the sports. He had
n't seen any sports before, and went to bed excited and rose in the
middle of the night to start. He dressed in the dark, and we heard him
going out, because he fell over Sandy and Kate. They had come on a
visit, and were sleeping on the floor in the front room. We also heard
him throw the slip-rails down.

There was a heavy fog that morning. At breakfast we talked about Dave,
and Dad "s'posed" he would just about be getting in; but an hour or two
after breakfast the fog cleared, and we saw Dave in the lane hammering
Nell with a stick. Nell had her rump to the fence and was trying hard
to kick it down. Dad went to him. "Take her gently; take her GENTLY,
boy," he shouted. "PSHAW! take her GENTLY!" Dave shouted back.
"Here"--he jumped off her and handed Dad the reins--"take her away and
cut her throat." Then he cried, and then he picked up a big stone and
rushed at Nell's head. But Dad interfered.

But the day Dad mounted Nell to bring a doctor to Anderson! She
started away smartly--the wrong road. Dad jerked her mouth and pulled
her round roughly. He was in a hurry--Nell was n't. She stood and
shook her head and switched her tail. Dad rattled a waddy on her and
jammed his heels hard against her ribs. She dropped her head and
cow-kicked. Then he coaxed her. "Come on, old girl," he said; "come
on,"--and patted her on the neck. 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, o