Whilst Tommy was being estranged from his friend by a constant succession of flattery from his elders and the example of others of his own age, Harry, who never said any of those brilliant things that render a boy the darling of the ladies, and who had not that vivacity, or rather impertinence, which frequently passes for wit with superficial people, paid the greatest attention to what was said to him, and made the most judicious observations upon subjects he understood.  For this reason, Miss Simmons, although much older and better informed, received great satisfaction from conversing with him, and thought him infinitely more agreeable and sensible than any of the smart young gentlemen she had hitherto seen.

One morning the young gentlemen agreed to take a walk in the country.  Harry went with them.  As they walked across a common they saw a great number of people moving forward towards a bull-baiting.  Instantly they were seized with a desire to see the diversion.  One obstacle alone presented itself.  Their parents, particularly Mrs. Merton, had made them promise to avoid every kind of danger.  However, all except Harry, agreed to go, insisting among themselves that there was no danger.

“Master Harry,” said one, “has not said a word.  Surely he will not tell of us.”

Harry said he did not wish to tell; but if, he added, he were asked, he would have to tell the truth.

A quarrel followed, in which Tommy struck his friend in the face with his fist.  This, added to Tommy’s recent conduct towards him, caused the tears to start to Harry’s eyes, whereupon the others assailed him with cries of “Coward!” “Blackguard!” and so on.  Master Mash went further and slapped him in the face.  Harry, though Master Mash’s inferior in size and strength, returned this by a punch, and a fight ensued, from which, though severely punished himself, Harry emerged the victor, to be assailed with a chorus of congratulation from those who before were loading him with taunts and outrages.

The young gentlemen persisting in their intention to see the bull-baiting, Harry followed at some distance, deciding not to quit his friend till he had once more seen him in a place of safety.  As it happened, the bull, after disposing of his early tormentors, broke loose when three fierce dogs were set upon it at once.  In the stampede little Tommy fell right in the path of the infuriated animal, and would have lost his life had not Harry, with a courage and presence of mind above his years, suddenly seized a prong which one of the fugitives had dropped, and, at the very moment when the bull was stopping to gore his defenceless friend, advanced and wounded it in the flank.  The bull turned, and with redoubled rage made at his new assailant, and it is probable that, notwithstanding his intrepidity, Harry would have paid with his own life the price of his assistance to his friend had not a poor negro, whom he had helped earlier in the day, come opportunely to his aid, and by his promptitude and address secured the animal.