“No, sir. Mine are the white blankets. But all Egerton cattle and we’ve taken fust prize for four years hand runnin’! Whoapp, Jerry! Whenever you’re ready I’m ready, Mr. Vernon.”
Which was local for “Please hurry up,” so I told our party to get aboard as soon as possible and we would start for the cattle show.
There is no better way of enjoying scenery than to go out riding behind a team of cattle. One has all the slowness obtainable by walking and yet one is riding, and can give his full attention to the beauties of either side of the road. To those who are not in too great a hurry I commend this form of locomotion!
At last we were ready, and after we were all seated James helped the giggling Minerva to a seat in the back. She and James were the only ones who had real seats. The rest of us sat in the straw.
“G’long!” shouted Mr. Goodman, and the oxen started.
“Isn’t this fun?” said Cherry, wriggling her shoulders with delight.
“Fine, and after three hours of it walking will be even more fun,” said Tom.
“Oh, I’ve forgotten the lunch,” said Ethel.
“Now, look here,” said Tom, “we mustn’t stop this procession. Give me the key, Philip, and I’ll go back after the lunch and—”
“Whoa,” shouted Mr. Goodman.