A BET ON A BULL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1355, 17 November 1877, Page 21

A BET ON A BULL.

Mr Miller said it was all nonsense to talk about a bull being • excited -by a red ragi He said he had an ugly, tempered Devon bull over in the fieldwho would take it like a lamb if you would shake the flag of ail nations inhis face. Dr. Robinson said that Miller darn't try it, and Miller wont into the house and loaded himself up with a red-flannel undershirt, and we all walked out to the field. The bull was there, looking calm as a summer morning. Miller climbed the fence and went towards the animal, keeping the shirt behind him. As he came close to the bull he suddenly produced the shirt and flirted it in the bull's face. The beast jumped back a yard or two in astonishment, and kept his eyes on Miller, while Miller waved the old vermilion garment vigorously. Then the bull shook his head several times, as if he declined to have anything to do with the business ; and Miller turned towards us and put his thumb to his nose and made a signal of victory. . Just ..then an idea seemed to strike the .bull. He put his head down and moved swiftly forward. Miller at first thought' there had been an earthquake.. -Upon hisdescenthe thought he would try to run, but a' Devon Shorthorn 'was inserted in his -trousers, and again he went up high enough to take a bird's-eye view of the surrounding country. On the twenty-fifth descent he fell on the other side of the fence, and we picked him up. His mouth was full of grass and mud. We asked if his views -about bulls had undergone any change, but he walked silently along. We wanted.to. knaw. how he enjoyed the scenery- the last time he went up, but he. wouldy not say. He merely went into the House, filled up both barrels of his gun with old nails, and screws, and scraps of iron, and then he went out to interview that bull. — Max Adeler.