Australian Tales - Setis

Goliah, taking the reins from the widow. “I'll make 'en jump, I'll warrant.
Hallo, there! barn it, what dost thee mean by poking along at this pace,
like an old cow with a sore leg? Ods dampers and doughboys! what do'st
thee mean, eh? Lazy rogue, come up! Hallaballoo! hobgoblins and
blunderbuses! get along, or I'll cut thee into catsmeat!”
Goliah shouted thus in very loud and gruff tones, and at the same time
threw his gigantic arms in the air in a manner formidable enough to
frighten the stubbornest donkey in the world. The effect upon the poor
brute was marvellous, and perhaps it is worth noting for the advantage of
those who are fond of assinine studies, or who have to do with other
obstinate animals. When Goliah first addressed him, Jacky laid his ears
flat aback in token of astonishment, and looked out of the corners of his
eyes, as though he were taking the measure of his strange driver. Then he
showed his teeth — as marks of opposition, he also slightly elevated his
hind part, revineing contempt, and at the same time a disposition to kick.
But as Goliah poured out the torrent of hard-sounding words, Jacky's tail
began to twitch in a peculiar manner, then to stand up as straight as a
boat's jigger-mast, plainly indicating extreme fear and a desire for peace,
by hoisting an apology for a flag of truce. After uttering three heavy
sighs and a grunt, his pace improved into a quick trot, hence it was quite
clear that Jacky was subdued, his stubborn will was broken, and much as
it may have annoyed him to be thus humbled before the good old lady,
who had been the victim of his lazy tricks for many years, it was
nevertheless a fact, which he could not deny, that he was mastered,
thoroughly cowed, as most donkeys are when spoken to by men of spirit.
A good moral lesson may be learned by a consideration of the
metaphysical aspect of that sudden surrender of the donkey's will. It is a
striking example of the power of mind over mere animal propensity
— but I must go on with my story. The widow was highly delighted, and
laughed like a merry maiden. “I do think you have cured his obstinate
temper,-Mr. Trump,” she remarked; “indeed, there is a surprising change
in him all at once; I declare I did not fancy he could trot so fast. Well,
well, who'd have thought it? Well done, Jacky, my boy! you shall have
some beans by-and-bye.”
“I'll show thee what he can do in a minute,” said Goliah — then,
addressing the donkey, he roared out more furiously than before, “Hallo!
get along, thee lazy scamp; dos't think I'll see thee impose on my friend
Sam's mother in this way? Barn it all, I'll skin thee in a minute, I will.
Halla-balloo! bullseyes, and blowpipes! get away with thee good-fornothing
rascal! I'll let thee see what's o'clock, I'll warrant. Come up thee
sleepy-headed rogue!” at the same time he stamped with his big boots on
the bottom of the gig, which shocked the donkey to such an extent, that
he trembled while he tore along with the gig at a mad gallop. Never
before was a donkey seen to go at such a racing pace by the oldest