Two paths branched off at the spot she had just reached. She stood uncertain apparently which to take, when, at that instant, a bull feeding in the field, irritated by the sight of her red cloak, began to paw the ground and lower his head as if about to make a rush at her. The child becoming alarmed uttered a cry, and ran in the direction of the gate near which they were standing. Harry leaped over the gate and hurried to her rescue. Seeing him coming she darted towards him. "Throw off your cloak," he shouted. She was too much frightened to follow his advice. The bull was close upon them when Harry reached her, and in an instant tearing off her cloak he threw it at the bull, and lifting her in his arms darted on one side, while the savage animal rushed over the spot where the moment before they had stood, and catching the cloak on its horns threw it over its head, and then stopping in its course looked round in search of the object at which it was aiming. Seeing Harry running off with the little girl, it again rushed at them. He had just time to lift her over the gate, and to spring after her, when the creature came full tilt against it. The courage of Madame De La Motte and Julia had given way as they saw the bull coming, and believing that the gate would be broken down, they had run for safety to a high bank with a hedge above it a little on one side of the field. "You are quite safe now, little girl," said Harry, trying to reassure the child. "See, though the bull knocked his horns against the gate, he could not throw it down, and is going off discomforted. Come, Julia, and help her," he shouted; "she has been dreadfully frightened, and not without cause." Julia and her governess, feeling a little ashamed of themselves, descended from their safe position. "I hope you are not hurt; but how came you to be in the field by yourself?" asked Julia, addressing the little girl. "Mother told me to take the path across the fields while she went round by the road to call at some houses," she answered. "To whom do you belong, and what is your name?" asked madame, looking admiringly at the child's delicate and pretty features. "I belong to Adam Halliburt, and he calls me his Maiden May," answered the child. "Maiden May! that is a very pretty name," observed Madame. "But you are very young to go so far alone." "We must not let you go alone," said Harry; "I will take care of you till you meet your mother, but I will first get your cloak. I see the bull has left it on the grass, and I hope has not injured it." "Take care, Harry," exclaimed Julia, "the bull might run at you if he sees you in the field." "I do not mind running away from him, and I suspect I can run the fastest," answered Harry, laughing, as he leapt over the gate. Julia and Madame De La Motte watched him anxiously, not more so, however, than did Maiden May. "Oh, I hope he will not be hurt, I would much rather lose my cloak," she said, following him with her eyes.