Then they got the rope over its head the lasso tightened; they secured the beast to the cleats and all they had to do now was sail slowly to the shore but Bobby Big Nuts was in trouble, his breathing became laboured; his head kept going under and Bill pulled on the rope in an effort to get the beast to lift up its head they were only half a mile now from the shore.
“Hold on Bobby my lad said Billy. If we can get him onto the beach we may be able to save him said Bill. Tom thought back to the time when he and his brother Jack were in the water and how the cold exhaust’s you and your muscles just seize up with the cold.
Tom saw the coast line and headed inland he had the engine on full throttle. It was just a matter of time now.
The bull had been in the icy water for thirty minutes now and when the boat hit the soft sand Bill jumped out into the shallows, the water was only four feet deep but the bull was totally knackered now and the four men struggled to save the beast. Tom lashed another rope round the beasts head and the four men pulled for all they were worth. It took them another twenty five minutes before the beast was clear of the water.
“Come on get up shouted Bill Munro to the stricken beast.’
“Go get those blankets on board quickly shouted Tom and you Bill gather some wood to make a fire. Bill shot off along the beach picking up lumps of timber and old bits of dead wood from trees. He hurried back and Tom lit a rag with some diesel on it and the wood began to burn. The bull was now covered in the blankets and the three men went to gather more wood. Soon someone came from the island. They had seen the fire and came running a Tom told them to get the help of a vet and a cattle truck and tractor. They now had a roaring fire going and the heat from it was intensive. The beast was still lying down still too exhausted to move.
When the vet arrived and he gave the bull a shot of adrenalin; they could only hope that with rest the bull would recover.
They kept loading the fire to keep the heat circulating around. More blankets were placed onto the animal. It was two hour before Bobby lifted its head, farted then got back onto its feet.
“A big cheer as well as laughter went up. “ The bull was led into a truck then transported to the show where it won the best in show that afternoon. Tom, Chris, and Steve came away from the show feeling pretty pleased with themselves having saved the life of a magnificent animal.
They got back on the boat without the bull; Bill said he would stay over and catch the next ferry in the morning.’
“Now that’s a story and a half to tell the grand kids said Steve.’
“Aye and no bull either.’
Tom woke up to the sound of laughter; he’d had a good sleep and felt refreshed. He looked at his watch which told him it was just after five o’clock, it would be another two hours before they got to Eyemouth where hot tea and a cooked breakfast awaited them.
Tom took over the tiller and Chris sat down next to his friend.’
“Will we be collecting the pots on the way home Skipper?’
“Yes, I’m going to buy some bait to put into the pots as we will be out fishing at first light tomorrow.’
Both men were looking forward to going out because they needed the money and the only way they could make it was by fishing.
