Between Snow and Fire — page 133: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

é * : ce =" 2 a s ,. - Z : ; : d f , - ‘ sy a / ‘ oy . ah a « é bd e . 4. , y ee f . | ‘ * bad 4 . + 4 d a + during which not an enemy was seen, except here and there the body of a dead one lying in a pool of blood, they crested the brow of the second ridge, A great shout arose. “ There they are! Now then, boys—cut ’em out !” Away in front, about five miles distant, lay a long, dark line of forest. Half way between this and themselves an immense herd of cattle was streaming across the vwe/d7. The drivers, about two score in number, were at first seen to redouble their efforts to urge onthe animals, ‘Then, at sight of the white horsemen bearing down upon them with a wild cheer, they incontinently abandoned their charge and fled for dear life. “ Never mind the niggers,” sang out Brathwaite, as one or two of his men tried to rein in for a snap shot at the flying Kafirs. ‘ Never mind them. Head the cattle round for all you know. If once they get into the bush we may lose any number of them.”’ And spurring into a gallop he circled round before the excited herd, followed by his whole troop, The foremost beasts stopped short, throwing up their heads with many a snort and bellow of bewilder- ment and terror, while the bulk of the herd pressed on. For some minutes the clashing of horns and frenzied_bel- lowing, the clouds of dust, and the excited shouts of the horsemen made up an indescribable scene of din and con- fusion. Many of the animals, rolled on the ground by the plunging, swaying mass, were trampled or gored to death by their bewildered companions, At last the tumultuous excitement began to subside, and the animals, with heaving flanks and rolling eyes, stood huddled together as if ‘waiting the pleasure of their new drivers, “Steady! Don’t rush them,” shouted Brathwaite. ‘* Head them away quietly for the open for all you know, and don’t let them break through.” : More than one comical scene was enacted as the line of horsemen, extended so as to gradually work the herd away from the bush, drove their charge forward., Now and then a cow, with a calf at her side, or haply missing her progeny, would turn and furiously charge the line of horsemen, causing an abrupt scatter,eand in one or two instances the utter and ignominious flight of the doughty warrior singled out, who perchance was only too thankful to lay her out with a revolver shot in the nick of time to save himself and his steed, or both, from being ripped up or impaled by (eco)