Chapter 27

"It was a terribly hot day, and I wandered about the town all the afternoon, able to think of little else than of my poor bullock, and of what had become of it, when, as I was going to the station to my train, I met three or four cattle coming driven along. Suddenly one of them caught sight of me, and in spite of all the men could do came rushing up towards me. It was my poor bullock; but, oh, so terribly altered. I should hardly have known it.

_"It seemed beside itself with joy to see me, and stood by me lowing so pitifully, as much as to say, 'Oh, I'm so glad I've found you! I know I'm safe now, and you won't let these awful men carry me off again'._

"At last they managed to get it to move on by flogging it savagely, and, heart-sick and conscience-smitten, I went to the station; and when I got the money that it was sold for it seemed to me like 'the price of blood.' But what can I do?

"I suppose the proper thing is to get hardened and to think nothing about it, like other people; but it is so dreadful that I can never go to market to see another of my poor beasts sold."

Kind Miss Cobbe

Miss Frances Power Cobbe gave herself, heart and soul, to the defence of the animals, not because she loved them more than human beings but because she could not bear to see the men acting so wickedly towards them, nor to hear the groans of the helpless victims.

In the account of her life, written by herself, she says: "It is not the four legs nor the silky or shaggy coat of a dog which should prevent us from discerning his inner nature of thought and love; limited thought, it is true, but an unlimited love. That he is dumb, is to me only another claim (as it would be in a human child) on my consideration... Another dog, whom I sent away at one year old to live in the country, was returned to me eight years afterwards old and diseased. The poor beast knew me again after a few moments' eager examination, and uttered _an actual scream of joy_ when I called her by name, exhibiting every token of tender affection for me ever afterwards."

In her books entitled "Dogs whom I Have Met," she says: "The dog who really loves his master delights in mere propinquity, likes to lie down on the floor resting against his feet, better than on a cushion a yard away, and after a warm interchange of caresses for two or three minutes asks no more, and subsides into perfect contentment. That a short tender touch of the dog's tongue to hand or face corresponds exactly, as an expression of his feelings, to our kisses of affection, there can be no sort of doubt. All dogs kiss the people they love."

Tennyson, when on a visit to Miss Cobbe, bade her go bravely on as she had begun, and "fight the good fight," by which he meant the warfare against cruelty in which she was engaged. After his death it was sad to hear the wail of three dogs, a collie, a Scotch terrier, and a Russian wolf-hound, constant companions and friends of the poet. Thousands of dogs have pined, and died of grief, for their loved masters.

At a Bull Fight

The following is a pathetic narrative entitled "El Moro."

A Cadiz letter says: "Notice had been posted on all the public places that on a certain day the bull called 'El Moro' would be introduced into the arena, and that, when he should have been goaded to the utmost fury, a young girl would appear and reduce the animal to quiet subjection. The people of Cadiz had heard of 'El Moro' as the most magnificent bull ever brought into the city, and it soon became known that the girl just advertised was a peasant girl of Espara, who had petted the bull, and fed it and cared for it during the years of it's growth. On the appointed day the vast amphitheatre was filled with an anxious, eager crowd. Several bulls had been killed and dragged away, and then the flourish of trumpets announced the coming of the hero of the day. With a deep, terrific roar, 'El Moro' entered upon the scene. He was truly magnificent; a bovine monarch, black and glossy, with eyes of fire, dilating nostrils, and wicked-looking horns. The picadores attacked him warily, hurling their banderillos (small, dart-like javelins ornamented with ribbons, and intended to jade and infuriate). The bull had killed three horses offhand, and had received eight banderillos in his neck and shoulders, when, upon a given signal, the picadores and matadores suddenly withdrew leaving the infuriated beast alone in his wild paroxysm of wrath. Presently a soft musical note, like the piping of a lark, was heard, and directly afterwards a girl of not more than fifteen years of age, an the tasteful garb of an Andalusian peasant, and with a pretty face, sprang lightly into the arena, approaching the bull fearlessly, at the same time calling his name--'Moro! Moro! Va voy!' At the first sound of the sweet voice the animal ceased his fury, and turned towards the place whence it came, and, when he saw the girl, he plainly manifested pleasure. She came to his head, and put forth her hand, which he licked with his tongue. Then she sang a low, sweet song, at the same time caressing the animal by patting him on the forehead, and, while she sang, the suffering monarch kneeled at her feet. Then she stooped and gently removed the cruel banderillos, after which, with her arms around 'El Moro's' neck, she led him towards the gate of the torril."

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Funny Australian Natives

Kangaroo

The Kangaroo is the largest native animal in Australia. He is about 5 feet high when he sits up, he has a head somewhat like a rabbit's, his hands or fore feet are small but his hind feet are large, and he has a very thick tail. He can kick and tear with his sharp hind claws in a very dangerous manner. He frequently kills dogs with his claws, but, when he is chased by dogs, if he is near water he makes for it and often drowns the dogs if they come into the water after him. He leaps or hops about 15 feet at a time and goes very fast. The mother carries her young in a pouch, as seen in the picture, and when the baby kangaroos are frightened they run at once into their mother's pouch for safety, like any other babies running to their mother.

Australian Native Cat

It is a wild Cat, generally brown or black with many large and small white spots on it. It lives on small animals, including birds and their eggs, and is a great pest to farmers, killing their poultry.

Emu

The Emu lives upon vegetable food such as fruits, roots, and grass. It has a great curiosity and is easily tamed. It is very inoffensive except when violently attacked; then it kicks like a horse. It is said that its kick will break a man's leg. Its flesh is eaten by the natives and is said to look and taste like beef. It can run very fast. It lays from 6 to 12 dark green coloured eggs and its young are pretty little striped things as in the above picture. It is, next to the Ostrich, the largest bird in the world, being 5 or 6 feet high, its colour is a mixture of grey and brown, and its voice has a low booming sound. It is generally coupled with the Kangaroo in the Australian Arms.

Platypus

The Platypus is sometimes called the Water Mole. It is, perhaps, the most wonderful animal in the world in its combination, being part bird, part beast, part fish. It has a bill like a duck; five toes with claws and webbed feet; it is covered with thick glossy fur like a seal; it has cheek pouches like a monkey to keep it's food in; it lays two eggs, its voice resembles that of a young puppy, and the young platypuses play like puppies; it lives in rivers and makes burrows often 20 or 30 feet long; it feeds upon water insects, shell fish, etc.

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Funny Australian Natives

Native Bear

The Australian Native Bear is a dear little harmless fellow, and is easily tamed. He lives in the gum trees, feeds upon gum leaves, and loves his mother who carries him on her back and is very fond of him. He has a thick fluffy coat, big bushy ears, and no tail. He cries like a child if he misses his mother. The cry very pathetically if they are wounded, which they frequently are in the bush, by cruel wicked boys and men who think it is sport to shoot at the poor harmless creatures.

Bower Bird

The Australian Bower Bird is an extensive builder; it not only builds its nest in a tree but it builds a palace on the ground in the shape of a bower hut, furnishes it with nick-nacks such as shells, bones, pieces of mineral, metals, bright parrots' feathers and other trifles. What the English magpie would steal and hide away the Bower Bird openly decorates his pavilion with. Often several birds collect together and play like children, running in, out, and around their wonderful bower-palace as shown in our picture.

Lyre Bird

The Australian Lyre Bird is a most beautiful creature, said to be a variety of the Bird of Paradise. It runs very quickly, and springs very high, and calls very loudly. It lays but one egg a year and, consequently, only has one baby per annum. It is a great mimic. Mr. Metcalfe in his "Australian Zoology", describing it, says: "It is a consummate mimic and ventriloquist. It imitates to perfection the notes of all other birds, the united voices of a flock of parrakeets, the barking of dogs, the sawing of timber and the clink of the woodman's axe. This it has earned for itself the title of the Australian Mocking Bird."

Our Seven Funny Australian Natives

The Kangaroo says, whenever I jump, I always come down with a great big thump.

The Emu can give a nasty kick; Which is worse than getting a hit with a brick.

I'm but a funny wild, little, spotted Native Cat, With claws and tail like a squirrel and a nose like a rat.

Common people call me simply Mr. PLATYPUS, Learned people call me Mr. OR-NI-THO-RINK-KUS.

I'm bit a little Native Bear, and am so happy and bright, I sleep and dream in a tree by day, and climb about at night.

The clever Bower Bird builds his nest up a tree, And his beautiful palace down on the lea.

Here we see a pretty bird, of its voice you will never tire, But tho' it mocks the sounds it hears the bird is still a Lyre.

_(By a Company of Three Particularly Poor Poets.)_

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Cat Stories

Puss in the Well

Ding dong dell, pussy's in the well! Who put her in?--little Tommy Lin. Who pulled her out?--dog with long snout. What a naughty boy was that To drown poor pussy cat, Who never did any harm But kill'd the mice in his father's barn.

The Singing Cat

A cat came fiddling out of a barn, With a pair of bagpipes under her arm; She could sing nothing but fiddle cum fee, The mouse has married the bumble-bee. Pipe cat--dance, mouse, We'll have a wedding at our good house.

Puss in London

Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, where have you been? I've been to London to visit the Queen. Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, what did you there? I frighten'd a little mouse under the chair.

Pussy-Cat and Mousey

Pussy-Cat lives in the servant's hall, She can set up her back and purr; The little mice live in a crack in the wall, But they hardly dare venture to stir; For whenever they think of taking the air, Or filling their little maws, The Pussy-cat says, "Come out if you dare; I will catch you all with my claws." Scramble, scramble, scramble, went all the little Mice, For they smelt the Cheshire cheese, The Pussy-Cat said, "It smells very nice, Now do come out, if you please." "Squeak," said the little Mouse; "squeak, squeak, squeak," Said all the little ones too; "We never creep out when cats are about, Because we're afraid of you." So the cunning old Cat lay down on a mat By the fire in the servants' hall: "If the little Mice peep, they'll think I'm asleep;" So she rolled herself up like a ball. "Squeak," said the little Mouse, "we'll creep out And eat some Cheshire cheese, That silly old Cat is asleep on the mat, And we may sup at our ease." Nibble, nibble, nibble went all the little mice, And they licked their little paws; Then the cunning old Cat sprang up from the mat, And caught them all with her claws.

Puss in the Pantry

Hie, hie, says Anthony, puss in the pantry Gnawing, gnawing a mutton, mutton-bone; See now she tumbles it, see now she mumbles it, See how she tosses the mutton, mutton-bone,

Dick killed Puss

Do look at the cat! why, what is she at? She's catching a rat that's hid in Dick's hat. Dick ran for a bat to knock him down flat, But, crossing the mat the foolish young brat Tripped up and fell flat, He half killed the cat Instead of the rat, Hal cried out that that Was just tit for tat.

Puss and the Monkey

Says Mr. Monkey, giving a wink; "It would be exceedingly funny, I think, To catch the cat, and give her a drink, Out of a great big bottle of ink."

So, suiting the action to word, He caught up Puss, but she demurred; And made such a noise you never heard, And said it 'twas worse than eating a bird.

The Puss she didn't like ink at all! She didn't like bottles great or small; Ink to her was worse than gall, And so she did nothing but spit, mew, and squall. And that's all!

Sing Sing

Sing, sing, what shall I sing? The cat has ate the pudding-string! Do, do, what shall I do? The cat has bit it quite in two.

Good Puss

Poor Puss, dear, lovely pretty puss, Content at home to stay; Thy pleasure's shown in gambol tricks And loves to skip and play.

Grateful for every sup of milk, And for every bit of meat; Gives lively proof of gratitude By singing while you eat.

See, how she cleans her sleeky skin! A soil would prove a flow; She licks her neck, her sides and back, And don't forget her paw.

Mary's Puss Drowned

Mary had a little cat, With long snow-white hair. Such a merry little cat, Jumping everywhere.

When Mary went to take a walk, Pussy ran to meet her, Rubbed its head against her frock And said, 'Purr, purr,' to greet her.

Once, when Mary was at school, Some cruel bad boys found it, And in a pond beside the road, Oh, sad to tell, they drowned it!

Poor Mary's face was wet with tears, When she found Pussy lying:-- I would not be a cruel boy, To set poor Mary crying.

My Pussy

I love little Pussy, her coat is so warm; And if I don't hurt her, she'll do me no harm, So I'll not pull her tail, nor drive her away, But Pussy and I very gently will play. She'll sit by my side, and I'll give her some food; And Pussy will love me, because I am good. Oh! here is Miss Pussy, she's drinking her milk; Her coat is as soft and as glossy as silk. She sips the milk up with her little lap-lap; Then, wiping her whiskers, lies down for a nap. My kitty is gentle, she loves me right well; How funny her play is I'm sure I can't tell. Now under the sofa, now under the table. She runs and plays bopeep as well as she's able. Oh! dearly I love her! you never did see Two happier playmates than kitty and me.

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Dame Trot

Dame Trot once went to a neighbouring fair. And what do you think she bought herself there? A pussy! the prettiest ever was seen; No cat was so gentle, so clever and clean.

Each dear little paw was as black as a sloe, The rest of her fur was white as the snow, Her eyes were bright green, and her sweet little face Was pretty and meek, full of innocent grace.

Dame Trot hurried home with this beautiful cat; Went upstairs to take off her cloak and her hat; And when she came down she was astonished to see That Pussy was busy preparing the tea.

"Oh, what a strange cat!" thought poor little Dame Trot, "She'll break my best china and upset the pot." But no harm befell them: the velvety paws Were quite sure; the Dame for alarm had no cause.

Next morning when little Dame Trot came downstairs, To attend as usual, to household affairs, She found that the kitchen was swept up as clean As if Puss a regular servant had been.

The tea stood to draw, and the toast was done brown; The Dame very pleased to her breakfast sat down; While Puss by her side on an armchair sat up, And lapped her warm milk from a nice china cup.

Now Spot, the old house-dog, looked on in amaze, He'd never been used to such queer cattish ways, Put Puss mewed so sweetly, and moved with such grace, That Spot at last liked her, and licked her white face.

Poor little Dame Trot had no money to spare, And only too often her cupboard was bare; Then kind Mrs Pussy would catch a nice fish, And serve it for dinner upon a clean dish.

The rats and the mice, who wished Pussy to please, Were now never seen at the butter and cheese; The Dame daily found that their numbers grew thinner, For Puss ate a mouse every day for her dinner.

If Puss had a weakness, I need but confess 'Twas a girl of the period's fancy for dress, Her greatest desire a high chignon and hat, And a very short dress _a la mode_ for a cat.

So one day when Dame Trot had gone out to dine, Puss dressed herself up, as she thought, very fine, And coaxed kind old Spot, who looked at her with pride, To play pony for her, and give her a ride.

Now Spot, who to welcome his mistress desired, And to "company manners" had never aspired, Jumped up to fawn on her--and down came the cat, And crushed, in her tumble, her feather and hat.

"Oh, puss!" said Dame Trot, "what a very sad mess! You'd best have remained in your natural dress; The graces which Nature so kindly bestows Are more often hid than improved by fine clothes.

Mistress Puss and Doggy

A little dog said, and he looked very wise, "I think, Mistress Pus, You make a great fuss With your back and your great green eyes And you, Madam Duck, You waddle and cluck, Till it gives one the fidgets to hear you; You'd better run off To the old pig's trough, Where none but the pigs, ma'am, are near you."

The duck was good-natured, and she ran away; But old pussy-cat With her back up sat, And said she intended to stay; And she showed him her paws, With her sharp, long claws, So the dog was afraid to come near, For Puss if she pleases, When a little dog teases Can give him a box on the ear.

Don't Hurt Puss

I like little pussy, her coat is so warm, And if I don't hurt her she'll do me no harm; So I'll not pull her tail, nor drive her away, But Pussy and I very gently will play.

Head In The Milk Jug

Ho! Master, Mistress, Mary, run, Your Tabby is in grief; This broken jug caught hold of me As though I were a thief.

Cat Up The Plum Tree

Diddledy, diddledy, dumpty, The cat ran up the plum tree I lay you a crown I'll fetch her down; So diddledy, diddledy, dumpty.

Pussy-Cat Mole

Pussy Cat Mole Jumped over a coal, And in her best petticoat burnt a great hole Poor Pussy is weeping, she'll have no more milk Until her best petticoat's mended with silk.

The Three Little Kittens

Three little kittens they lost their mittens, And they began to cry, "Oh! mammy dear, we sadly fear, Our mittens we have lost." "What! lost your mittens, You naughty kittens, Then you shall have no pie." Miew, miew miew, miew.

The three little kittens had need of mittens: The winter was now nigh. "Oh! mammy dear, we fear, we fear, Our mittens we shall need." "Go, seek your mittens, You silly kittens; There's a tempest in the sky." Miew, miew, miew, miew.

The three little kittens, in seeking their mittens, Upset the table high. "Oh! mammy dear, we doubt and fear, The house is tumbling down," "You foolish kittens, Go find your mittens, And do not make things fly." Miew, miew, miew, miew.

The three little kittens they found their mittens, And they began to cry, "Oh! mammy dear, see here, see here, Our mittens we have found." "What! found your mittens, You little kittens; Then you shall have some pie." Purr, purr, purr, purr.

The three little kittens put on their mittens, And soon ate up the pie; "Oh! mammy dear, we greatly fear, Our mittens we have soiled." "What! soiled your mittens, You naughty kittens!" Then they began to sigh. Miew, miew, miew, miew.

The three little kittens they washed their mittens, And hung them up to dry. "Oh! mammy dear, look here, look here, Our mittens we have washed," "What! washed your mittens, You darling kittens!-- But I smell a rat close by! Hush! Hush!" Miew, miew.

The three little kittens put off their mittens, A hunting match to try. "Oh! mammy dear, his hole is here: Our mittens down we fling." Both cat and kittens Flung down their mittens; When--whisk!--the rat ran by. Miew, miew, miew, miew.

The Dunce of a Kitten

Come, Pussy, will you learn to read? I've got a pretty book: Nay, turn this way, you must indeed, Fie, there's a sulky look!

Here's a pretty picture, see An apple with a great A; How stupid you will ever be If you do nought but play!

Come, A B C, an easy task, What anyone can do, I will do anything you ask, For dearly I love you.

No, no, your lesson is not done, You have not learnt it half; You'll grow a downright simpleton, And make the people laugh.

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Old Daddy Hubbard and His Cat

Old Daddy Hubbard Went to the cupboard, To get poor Puss some meat; But when he got there, I do declare, There was nothing but two pig's feet.

Daddy went to the fish shop To get Puss a sprat, And when he came back, She was watching a rat.

Daddy went to the carpenter's To get Puss a house, And when he came back She was catching a mouse.

Daddy went to the miller's To get Puss some meal, And when he came back She was skinning an eel.

Daddy went to a meadow To get milk from a cow, And when he came back, Puss cried: "Me-ow, Me-ow."

Daddy went to the crockery shop To get Puss a dish, And when he came back She had caught Ma's goldfish.

Daddy went to the dairy To get Puss some curd, And when he came back She'd ate Ma's pet bird.

Daddy went to the brewer's To get Puss some beer, And when he came back She's a flea in her ear.

Daddy went for some water, To give Puss some souse, And when he came back Puss was top of the house.

Daddy went to the ironmonger's To get Puss a saw, And when he came back She had scalded her paw.

Daddy went to the photographer's To get Puss some pictures, And when he came back, She had burnt off her whiskers.

Daddy went to the garden To get Puss a snail, And when he came back She'd a bottle-brush tail.

Daddy went to the grocer's To get Puss some tea, And when he came back She had run up a tree.

Daddy went to the draper's To buy Puss some mittens, And when he came back She was licking her kittens.

Daddy went to the stable To get Puss a donkey, And when he got back She was teaching the monkey.

Daddy went to the confectioner's To buy Puss a lollie, And when he came back She was nursing the dolly.

Daddy went to get clothes To make Puss a lady, And when he came back She was kissing the baby.

Daddy took Cole's balloon And got Puss a cloud, But Puss when she saw it Laughed right out loud.