y sorry for what had happened;"
but Mash, oppressed at once with the pain of his bruises, and the
disgrace of his defeat, observed an obstinate silence.

Just at this moment their attention was engaged by a new and sudden
spectacle. A bull of the largest size and greatest beauty was led across
the plain, adorned with ribbons of various colours. The majestic animal
suffered himself to be led along, an unresisting prey, till he arrived
at the spot which was destined for the theatre of his persecutions. Here
he was fastened to an iron ring, which had been strongly let into the
ground, and whose force they imagined would be sufficient to restrain
him, even in the midst of his most violent exertions. An innumerable
crowd of men, of women, of children, then surrounded the place, waiting
with eager curiosity for the inhuman sport which they expected. The
little party which had accompanied Master Merton were now no longer to
be restrained; their friends, their parents, admonition, duty, promises,
were all forgotten in an instant, and, solely intent upon gratifying
their curiosity, they mingled with the surrounding multitude.

Harry, although reluctantly, followed them at a distance; neither the
ill-usage he had received, nor the pain of his wounds, could make him
unmindful of Master Merton or careless of his safety. He knew too well
the dreadful accidents which frequently attend these barbarous sports,
to be able to quit his friend till he had once more seen him in a place
of safety.

And now the noble animal, that was to be thus wantonly tormented, was
fastened to the ring by a strongly-twisted cord, which, though it
confined and cramped his exertions, did not entirely restrain them.
Although possessed of almost irresistible strength, he seemed unwilling
to exert it, and looked round upon the infinite multitude of his enemies
with a gentleness that ought to have disarmed their animosity.

Presently a dog of the largest size and most ferocious courage was let
loose, who, as soon as he beheld the bull, uttered a savage yell, and
rushed upon him with all the rage of inveterate animosity. The bull
suffered him to approach with the coolness of deliberate courage, but
just as the dog was springing up to seize him, he rushed forward to meet
his foe, and putting his head to the ground, canted him into the air
several yards; and had not the spectators run and caught him upon their
backs and hands, he would have been crushed to piece