Tommy rode gallantly at her , and Toby recognizing an old friend , was quite willing to approach ; but when the lance came down on her back with a loud whack , both cow and donkey were surprised and disgusted . Toby back with a bray of remonstrance , and Buttercup lowered her horns angrily . `` At her again , Tom ; she 's jolly cross , and will do it capitally ! '' called Dan , coming up behind with another rod , while Jack and Ned followed his example . Seeing herself thus beset , and treated with such disrespect , Buttercup trotted round the field , getting more and more bewildered and excited every moment , for whichever way she turned , there was a dreadful boy , yelling and brandishing a new and very disagreeable sort of whip . It was great fun for them , but real misery for her , till she lost patience and turned the tables in the most unexpected manner . All at once she wheeled short round , and charged full at her old friend Toby , whose conduct cut her to the heart . Poor slow Toby backed so precipitately that he tripped over a stone , and down went horse , matadore , and all , in one ignominious heap , while distracted Buttercup took a surprising leap over the wall , and galloped wildly out of sight down the road . `` Catch her , stop her , head her off ! run , boys , run ! '' shouted Dan , tearing after her at his best pace , for she was Mr. Bhaer 's pet Alderney , and if anything happened to her , Dan feared it would be all over with him . Such a running and racing and bawling and puffing as there was before she was caught ! The fish-poles were left behind ; Toby was trotted nearly off his legs in the chase ; and every boy was red , breathless , and scared . They found poor Buttercup at last in a flower garden , where she had taken refuge , worn out with the long run . Borrowing a rope for a halter , Dan led her home , followed by a party of very sober young gentlemen , for the cow was in a sad state , having strained her shoulder jumping , so that she limped , her eyes looked wild , and her glossy coat was wet and muddy . `` You 'll catch it this time , Dan , '' said Tommy , as he led the wheezing donkey beside the maltreated cow . `` So will you , for you helped . '' `` We all did , but Demi , '' added Jack . `` He put it into our heads , '' said Ned . `` I told you not to do it , '' cried Demi , who was most broken-hearted at poor Buttercup 's state .
`` Old XXXXX will send me off , I guess .
Alderney Bhaer Dan Jack Ned Tom Tommy fish-poles matadore remonstrance