262 THE HOME OF A NATURALIST. 



and I must not look back. I ran silently for some 

 minutes, then the hopelessness of escape, and the utter 

 terror I felt at not being able to see my danger, over- 

 came every other sensation. I uttered a helpless 

 scream, and faced about, feeling that I would rather 

 stand and meet the enemy than be caught in despair- 

 ing fliorht. 



But that cry of mine, and the " muttered thunder," 

 had reached Slop's ears. Swift as a bird he came 

 bounding to the rescue, and when the bull was lower- 

 ing his head for a charge at me. Prince Mordge sprang 

 boldly at the black brow, bent conveniently low for 

 biting, as well as tossing, purposes. Taken aback by 

 the sudden attack, the bull shook himself free, and 

 tore the turf with his foot, as a prelude to making a 

 rush at Slop, On he came, but the dog was too agile 

 for him, and the beast came down on his knees, 

 bellowing furiously, and tearing the earth with his 

 horns. I knew Slop would save me; and, taking 

 advantage of the diversion in the bull's tactics which 

 my good friend's arrival had made, I ran away as 

 quickly as possible — and I ran that time with a hope 

 of escape. When I had got over a great part of the 

 way — had, in fact, got within easy distance of our hill- 

 dyke (the wall which divided the home-farm from the 

 common) — I paused to see how the fight went. Slop 

 was barking and jumping in front of the bull, some- 

 times even making a dash at the brute when its head 

 was lowered for a rush. 



But the remarkable part of Slop's proceedings was 



