d Jacob, who now went back to help the boys.
"Hold her, boy. Is the calf in the cart?"

"Yes, and tied fast," replied Edward, "and we are in the cart too."

"That's right," replied Jacob. "Now I'll get in too, and let us drive
off. She'll follow us, depend upon it. Here, Smoker! Smoker! Let her
alone."

Smoker, at this command, came bounding out of the copse, followed by the
heifer, lowing most anxiously. Her lowing was responded to by the calf
in the cart, and she ran wildly up to it.

"Drive off, Humphrey," said Jacob; "I think I heard the lowing of the
heifer answered by some of the herd, and the sooner we are off the
better."

Humphrey, who had the reins, drove off; the heifer followed, at one time
running at the dog, at another putting her head almost into the hind
part of the cart; but the lowing of the heifer was now answered by
deeper tones, and Jacob said:

"Edward, get your gun ready, for I think the herd is following. Do not
fire, however, till I tell you. We must be governed by circumstances.
It won't do to lose the pony, or to run any serious risk, for the sake
of the heifer and calf. Drive fast, Humphrey."

A few minutes afterwards they perceived at about a quarter of a mile
behind them, not the whole herd, but a single bull, who was coming up at
a fast trot, with his tail in the air, and tossing his head, lowing
deeply in answer to the heifer.

"There's only one, after all," said Jacob; "I suppose the heifer is his
favourite. Well, we can manage him. Smoker, come in. Come in, sir,
directly," cried Jacob, perceiving that the dog was about to attack the
bull.

Smoker obeyed, and the bull advanced till he was within a hundred yards.

"Now, Edward, do you fire first--aim for his shoulder. Humphrey, pull
up."

Humphrey stopped the pony, and the bull continued to advance, but seemed
puzzled who to attack, unless it was the dog. As soon as the bull was
within sixty yards, Edward fired, and the animal fell down on its knees,
tearing the ground with its horns.

"That will do," said Jacob; "drive on again, Humphrey; we will have a
look at that fellow by and by. At present we had better get home, as
others may come. He's up again, but he is at a standstill. I have an
idea that he is hit hard."

The cart drove on, followed by the heifer; but no more of the wild herd
made their appearance, and they very soon gained the cottage.

"Now, then, what shall we do?" said Jacob. "Come, Hum