As soon as dinner was over, Edward and Humphrey took down their guns,
having agreed that they would go and hunt the wild cattle.
"Humphrey, have you any idea where the herd of cattle are feeding at
this time?"
"I know where they were feeding yesterday and the day before, and I do
not think that they will have changed their ground, for the grass is
yet very young and only grown on the southern aspects. Depend upon it
we shall fall in with them not four miles from where we now are, if
not nearer."
"We must stalk them as we do the deer, must we not? They won't allow
us to approach within shot, Humphrey, will they?" said Edward.
"We have to take our chance, Edward; they will allow us to advance
within shot, but the bulls will then advance upon us, while the herd
increase their distance. On the other hand, if we stalk them, we may
kill one, and then the report of the gun will frighten the others
away. In the first instance there is a risk; in the second there is
none, but there is more fatigue and trouble. Choose as you please; I
will act as you decide."
"Well, Humphrey, since you give me the choice, I think that this time
I shall take the bull by the horns, as the saying is; that is, if
there are any trees near us, for if the herd are in an open place I
would not run such a risk; but if we can fire upon them and fall back
upon a tree in case of a bull charging, I will take them openly.
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