d that fast.

As the front of the machine was upon the animal I ducked, but did not
release my firm grip on the steering-wheel. There was photographed on my
brain an impression of a shaggy head, short and sharp horns, rage-crazed
eyes, a wet nose and lolling tongue, of turf cast up by flying hooves,
of a bearded face with staring eyes, of a red coat and a bewildering
plaid--and then the machine was upon them.

The shock of the collision was so slight that I feared I had missed my
target. I shut off the power and swung sharply to the right. One glance
proved that Mrs. Harding was uninjured.

Two objects were on the ground over which I had passed, and Carter and
Chilvers were running toward them. Had I struck Harding? I suffered
agonies in those moments, and I was the first to reach his side.

As I sprang from the car he raised to a sitting posture and attempted to
speak, but it was impossible to do so. Before Mrs. Harding could reach
him he was on his feet, making gestures to indicate that he was not
hurt.

"He's all right!" shouted Chilvers, rushing up to us. "Don't be alarmed,
Mrs. Harding, he only stumbled and fell. He's winded but will catch his
breath in a minute!"

Mr. Harding panted, and between gasps bowed and made pantomimic signs to
indicate that Chilvers had correctly diagnosed his ailment.

His wife has too much sense to give way to her emotions at such a time.
She brushed his clothes and wiped the perspiration from his face. Miss
Harding and the others were on the scene before his voice came back to
him.

"I'm--all--right!" he declared with much effort, walking and swinging
his arms to prove it to himself and us. Then he shook hands with me, and
I noted that his violent exercise had not impaired the strength of his
grip. We walked over and looked at the dead bull.

"That was a good shot, Smith," he said. "That was great work. Do you
know how close you came to hitting me?"

"It was very close, but I had one eye on you," I replied.

"I honestly believe it was the rush of air from the machine that keeled
me over, but I was about done for. I doubt if I would have made that
pond."

"Governor," said Chilvers, "he would have nailed you in two more jumps.
That was as pretty a piece of interference as I ever saw."

There was not a mark on the dead animal, whose neck must have been
broken.

"When you struck him," said Chilvers, "the air was full of surprised
beef. That bull went at least twelve feet