joke between him and Edward, who, when he brought home more venison than
would keep in the hot weather, told Humphrey that the remainder was for
the cow. Still Humphrey would not give up the point, and every morning
and evening he would be certain to be absent an hour or two, and it was
found out he was watching the herd of wild cattle who were feeding:
sometimes they were very near, at others a long way off. He used to get
up into the trees, and examine them as they passed under him, without
perceiving him. One night Humphrey returned very late, and the next
morning he was off before daylight. Breakfast was over, and Humphrey
did not make his appearance, and they could not tell what was the
matter. Jacob felt uneasy, but Edward laughed, and said:

"Oh, depend upon it, he'll come back and bring the cow with him."

Hardly had Edward said these words when in came Humphrey red with
perspiration.

"Now then, Jacob and Edward, come with me; we must put Billy in the
cart, and take Smoker and a rope with us. Take your guns too, for fear
of accident."

"Why, what's the matter?"

"I'll tell you as we go along, but I must put Billy in the cart, for
there is no time to be lost."

Humphrey disappeared, and Jacob said to Edward, "What can it be?"

"It can be nothing but the cow he is so mad about," replied Edward.
"However, when he comes with the pony, we shall know; let us take our
guns and the dog Smoker as he wishes."

Humphrey now drove up the pony and cart, and they set off.

"Well, I suppose you'll tell us now what we are going for?" said Edward.

"Yes, I will. You know I've been watching the cattle for a long while,
because I wanted a cow. I have been in a tree when they have passed
under me several times, and I observed that one or two of the heifers
were very near calving. Yesterday evening I thought one could not help
calving very soon indeed, and as I was watching I saw that she was
uneasy, and that she at last left the herd and went into a little copse
of wood. I remained three hours to see if she came out again, and she
did not. It was dark when I came home, as you know. This morning I
went before daylight and found the herd. She is very remarkable, being
black and white spotted; and, after close examination, I found that she
was not with the herd, so I am sure that she went into the copse to
calve, and that she has calved before this."

"Well, that may be," replied Jacob; "but now I do not un