incessant toil and rage, first
aiming at one, then at another of the persecuting dogs that harassed him
on every side, growling and baying incessantly, and biting him in every
part. At length, with a furious effort that he made, he trampled one of
his foes beneath his feet, and gored a second to that degree that his
bowels came through the wound, and at the same moment the cord, which
had hitherto confined him, snapped asunder, and let him loose upon the
affrighted multitude.

It is impossible to conceive the terror and dismay which instantly
seized the crowd of spectators. Those who before had been hallooing with
joy, and encouraging the fury of the dogs with shouts and acclamations,
were now scattered over the plain, and fled from the fury of the animal
whom they had been so basely tormenting. The enraged bull meanwhile
rushed like lightning over the plain, trampling some, goring others, and
taking ample vengeance for the injuries he had received. Presently he
rushed with headlong fury towards the spot where Master Merton and his
associates stood; all fled with wild affright, but with a speed that was
not equal to that of the pursuer. Shrieks, and outcries, and
lamentations were heard on every side; and those who, a few minutes
before, had despised the good advice of Harry, would now have given the
world to be safe in the houses of their parents. Harry alone seemed to
preserve his presence of mind; he neither cried out nor ran, but, when
the dreadful animal approached, leaped nimbly aside, and the bull passed
on, without embarrassing himself about his escape.

Not so fortunate was Master Merton; he happened to be the last of the
little troop of fliers, and full in the way which the bull had taken.
And now his destruction appeared certain; for as he ran, whether through
fear or the inequality of the ground, his foot slipped, and down he
tumbled in the very path of the enraged pursuing animal. All who saw
imagined his fate inevitable; and it would certainly have proved so, had
not Harry, with a courage and presence of mind above his years, suddenly
seized a prong which one of the fugitives had dropped, and at the very
moment when the bull was stooping to gore his defenceless friend,
advanced and wounded him in the flank. The bull in an instant turned
short, and with redoubled rage made at his new assailant; and it is
probable that, notwithstanding his intrepidity, Harry would have paid
the price of his assistance to h