is friend with his own life, had not an
unexpected succour arrived; for in that instant the grateful Black
rushed on like lightning to assist him, and assailing the bull with a
weighty stick that he held in his hand, compelled him to turn his rage
upon a new object. The bull, indeed, attacked him with all the
impetuosity of revenge; but the Black jumped nimbly aside and eluded his
fury. Not contented with this, he wheeled round his fierce antagonist,
and seizing him by the tail, began to batter his sides with an
unexpected storm of blows. In vain did the enraged animal bellow and
writhe himself about in all the convulsions of madness; his intrepid
foe, without ever quitting his hold, suffered himself to be dragged
about the field, still continuing his discipline, till the creature was
almost spent with the fatigue of his own violent agitations. And now
some of the boldest of the spectators, taking courage, approached to his
assistance, and throwing a well-twisted rope over his head, they at
length, by the dint of superior numbers, completely mastered the furious
animal, and bound him to a tree.

In the meanwhile, several of Mr Merton's servants, who had been sent out
after the young gentlemen, approached and took up their young master,
who, though without a wound, was almost dead with fear and agitation.
But Harry, after seeing that his friend was perfectly safe, and in the
hands of his own family, invited the Black to accompany him, and instead
of returning to Mr Merton's, took the way which led to his father's
house.

While these scenes were passing, Mrs Merton, though ignorant of the
danger of her son, was not undisturbed at home. Some accounts had been
brought of Harry's combat, which served to make her uneasy, and to
influence her still more against him. Mrs Compton too, and Miss Matilda,
who had conceived a violent dislike to Harry, were busy to inflame her
by their malicious representations.

While she was in these dispositions, Mr Merton happened to enter, and
was at once attacked by all the ladies upon the subject of this improper
connection. He endeavoured for a long time to remove their prejudices by
reason; but when he found that to be impossible, he contented himself
with telling his wife, that a little time would perhaps decide which
were the most proper companions for their son; and that till Harry had
done something to render himself unworthy of their notice, he never
could consent to their treating h