.

They were down by the water, both the stile they had crossed and that by
which they would leave the meadow about equidistant, while, as the
bullocks were making straight for the river to wade in, and try to rid
themselves of their torment, it seemed as if they were charging down
with serious intent.

"Come: quick! let us run," cried Helen in alarm, and she caught at
Dexter's hand.

"What! run away from them!" cried the boy stoutly. "Don't you be afraid
of them. You come along."

"No, no," cried Helen; "it is not safe."

But, to her horror, Dexter shook himself free, snatched off his cap, and
rushed straight at the leading bullock, a great heavy beast with long
horns, and now only fifty yards away, while the drove were close at its
heels.

The effect was magical.

No sooner did the great animal see the boy running forward than it
stopped short, and began to paw up the ground and shake its head, the
drove following the example of their leader, while, to Helen, as she
stood motionless with horror, it seemed as if the boy's fate was sealed.

For a few moments the bullock stood fast, but by the time Dexter was
within half a dozen yards, he flung his cap right in the animal's face,
and, with a loud snort, it turned as on a pivot, and dashed off toward
the upper part of the field, now driving the whole of the rest before
it.

"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Dexter, picking up his cap, and coming back
panting. "That's the way to serve them. Come along."

Helen was very white, but the colour began to come in her cheeks again
as she saw the boy's bright, frank, animated face; and, as they crossed
the second stile, and rambled on through the pleasant meads, it began to
dawn upon her that perhaps it would not prove to be so unpleasant a task
after all to tame the young savage placed in her hands.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

A PLEASANT LESSON.

One minute Helen Grayson was delighted at the freshness of nature, and
the genuine delight and enthusiasm displayed by her companion, the next
there came quite a cloud over everything, for it seemed to her that here
was a bright young spirit corroded and spoiled by the surroundings to
which it had been accustomed.

"What's that? What flower's this? Oh, look at that butterfly! Here,
Miss Grayson, see here--a long thin fly with his body all blue; and such
lovely wings. There's another with purple edges to it. Oh, how
lovely!"

Helen's eyes brightened, and she began to enjoy her