Page:Life and Works of Abraham Lincoln, v1.djvu/90

60 Hanks, and Abraham Lincoln were corralling a few yearling cattle, and imposing the yoke upon eight of the least unpromising. Levi Hall was casting a wary eye at the storing of the cargo, tightening a wedge here, tying a bark knot there, or driving a peg yonder, and venturing sundry bits of advice, having in view the proper disposition of the crude freight so as not to endanger the safety of the rude craft. The mother of the tribe was viewing the animated scene with an anxious eye and directing matters with responsible consideration, issuing directions and uttering sundry warnings concerning the task then being wrought out. While the children, radiant with happiness at the novelty and commotion, were dancing about in everybody's way.

Finally the four yoke of frisky, half-broken steers, after much coercion on the part of four men, were attached to the wagon; the last rude article was loaded on, stuck in, or tied under the wagon; the good mother, with much protesting, was forced to mount on the load, and the little ones were stored away somewhere in the interstices. The few parting words were said to the few friends who stood tearfully and dejectedly around, and the leader propounded the final interrogation of, "All ready?" which being answered by half a dozen or more in the affirmative, the leader flourished his ox-whip vigorously, at the same time ejaculating, "Come, Buck!, Bright! Go ’lang, Jim!" The team straightened out, the chains were tightly drawn, a creaking sound issued from four rebellious axles, a spasmodic activity was imparted to the load, the old lady clutched uneasily at some means to steady herself, the mercurial and excited