A much more exciting amusement was seeing the branding of the
cattle, which took place after the shearing was over. The animals
were let out, one by one, from their enclosure, and, as they passed
along a sort of lane formed of hurdles, they were lassoed and
thrown on to the ground. The hot branding-iron was then clapped
against their shoulder, and was received by a roar of rage and
pain. The lasso was then loosened, and the animal went off at a
gallop to join his companions on the plain. Some caution was
required in this process, for sometimes the animals, upon being
released, would charge their tormenters, who then had to make a
hasty leap over the hurdles; Terence, who stood behind them, being
in readiness to thrust a goad against the animals' rear, and this
always had the effect of turning them. For a few days after this
the cattle were rather wild, but they soon forgot their fright and
pain, and returned to their usual ways.
Mr. Hardy had by this time been long enough in the country to feel
sure of his position. He therefore determined to embark the rest of
his capital in agricultural operations. He engaged ten native
peons, and set-to to extend the land under tillage. The
watercourses from the dam were deepened and lengthened, and side
channels cut, so that the work of irrigation could be effectually
carried on over the whole of the low-lying land, the water being
sufficient for the purpose for nearly ten months in the year.
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