The Punishment of El Toro

EI Toro was a monstrous 2,000 pound bull. So, the split-rail fence of the Coon's pasture was a 'pushover' for him.. Time and again he was found patronizing the Coon's cows, although their 800-pound bull tried to gore EI Toro. And it was only with much effort that he was driven away. One day Dad called, "Glenn and Lester, go into the back woods and get the cows. (This was where the 30 milk cows would run through the low branches of the hemlock trees to brush off the flies) The boys obeyed, but saw no cows, so they began to call them. Suddenly EI Toro appeared, roaring and pawing the earth. The boys turned in fear to escape the huge bull, and jumped into a pit, where they could not be seen.. Finally the bull gave up, and the boys crawled out cautiously on their hands and knees, under the fence, back into the hay field."Lloyd and Lane, you get the cows," commanded Dad. The two older boys each had a pitchfork with 6-inch tines. "But don't you dare get near the old bull, or he will kill you!" As the boys called, "Come Cow-eeee, Cow-eee,” the cows began to appear along with the bull. Then, using the cows as a protection, Lloyd and Lane began alternately to stab EI Toro, and to lead the cows into the barn, while the bull followed. Miles and Clinton, who were in their twenties, and home for the summer, helped to milk the cows. Then Clinton stood in the road, and led them across to the pasture. Meanwhile. Miles braided EI Toro's tail into the handle of an old iron pail. Lane and Lloyd hid behind some trees, and Miles flipped the 'lid' to the stanchion. The bull jumped out of the door, the pail banging against his shin. So he kicked the pail, and it came over and hit him in the back, Then, as he went through the gate, Lloyd and Lane stabbed him again with their forks,As the bull went roaring down the road the pail alternately hitting his shins and his back, the watching boys doubled over with laughter, and that was the last that was ever seen of EI Toro!