A STORY FROM NEW ZEALAND.

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 22, 8 January 1907, Page 5

A STORY FROM NEW ZEALAND.

There are more senses than one in which fine leathers do not make fine birds, but it does not follow that being well-dressed unfits one for active service. Mr. Hay, in his book about New r Zealand, entitled “Brighter Britain,” relates an incident of a young stockman dandy, who put all the rest of the community to shame. In the two-acne stock-yard, or paddock. was an obstinate young bull which was to be branded. Usually a rope is dexteriously looped about one of its legs, and the creature tripped up. But this fellow was wary and vicious. Everyone on the place had been trying for an hour to secure him but he eluded every throw of the rope, and no one dared go inside the fence, so fierce were his rushes. Then Dandy Jack came along, known in all the region for his extreme cleanliness and his daintiness in dressing. All the other men wf-e standing about the enclosure, tired, limp, and covered with dirt. Jack was hailed with a volley of sarcasm He bowed politely, and responded with gentle cynicism : “There seems to be some difficulty* somewhere. Can 1 assist ?” “Perhaps you’ll be so polite as to show us how to capsize that beast,” spoke up a burly, grimy giant. “If it ain’t too much to ask of a drawingroom ornament.” “Oh, certainly, with pleasures” urbanely answered Jack. Then to everyone's amazement he vaulted over the fence and approached the bull. Down went the beast’s head, up went his tail, and he charged against the fence. Again and again he made his rush, and again Jack leaped out of the way. The men about the enclosure watched breathlessly ; now and then entreating the young fellow to come out of danger. Jack only nodded carelessly, and sauntered about. Finally the bull stood stock-still, eyeing Jack with sullen bellows. He was tired of charging, and a bit uncertain what to do. Jack walked to within an inch of his nose ; then as the brute prej>ared for one more rush, he sprang full at him. He seized one of the horns with both hands, and! placed one foot on the other horn. There was a wrench and a wrestle, and Jack whirled through the air, landing on the soft ground ten feet away. But the bull lay rolling on its back ; that twist of the head had upset him. The men sprang over the fence, and in an instant the creature was tied. Jack coolly sat on the helpless body, brushing the duet and dirt off his clothes. The giant regarded him with blank astonishment. Jack laughed. “Look here, you fellows,” he said, lazily ; “you don't understand what a bull is I'll tell you. It's a thing some people look at from the safe side of the fence, and other people take by the horns.- (4026 )