June arrived, and it was time to mow down grass to make into
hay for the winter, and Jacob had two scythes. He showed the boys how
to use them, and they soon became expert; and as there was plenty of
long grass at this time of the year, and they could mow when they
pleased, they soon bad White Billy in full employment carrying the hay
home. The little girls helped to make it, for Humphrey had made them
two rakes. Jacob thought that there was hay enough made, but Humphrey
said that there was enough for the pony, but not enough for the cow.
"But where is the cow to come from, Humphrey?"
"Where the venison comes from," replied he: "out of the forest."
So Humphrey continued to mow and make hay, while Edward and Jacob went
out for venison. After all the hay was made and stacked, Humphrey
found out a method of thatching with fern, which Jacob had never
thought of; and when that was done, they commenced cutting down fern
for fodder. Here again Humphrey would have twice as much as Jacob had
ever cut before, because he wanted litter for the cow. At last it
became quite a 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.
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