Page:Victoria, with a description of its principal cities, Melbourne and Geelong.djvu/75

 to a more open part of the wood, we dismounted, to hold consultation as to our future proceedings. It was resolved, that we should form six separate parties, myself and friend accompanying our host, with two others of the most experienced. The directions were, for each party to take a different route, making a detour, and scour the country round, driving towards the glade all the stray herds they met. It was also directed, that each party, as they came near the glade, were to remain perdu until they could ascertain that the whole six were collected. We were occupied in this duty two or three hours, and several times had to turn the flank of some outstraying ones endeavouring to make off in a contrary direction as we approached them. On one occasion, as we discovered three fine black bulls, which our host said were the chief of the herd, we cautiously drew near them; however, they showed an evident disposition to fight. The horses, now left entirely to their own guidance, moved quietly on them in the form of a half circle. Scarcely had our host given the caution, "Loose the reins and stick on," when the three bulls gave a low moaning bellow, and simultaneously rushed frantically upon us, with heads towards the ground and tails in the air. The most formidable of the three seemed to single me out as its victim, and in a second the infuriated beast rushed on me. My presence of mind did not desert me; I faithfully obeyed the order I had received, and held on like grim death. I felt suddenly