To this Harry did not answer. Hauling off he took quick aim, and down came the bat on the bull's head with telling effect. Then, as the beast staggered and paused, he hit the savage creature another blow.
Down came the bat on the bull's head.
"That's it! Give it to him!" cried a man some yards away. But he himself kept at a safe distance.
The second blow from the baseball bat drove the bull back into the roadway and there he stood, swaying from side to side and glaring ferociously at Harry. By this time the beast's owner, Jerry Flagg, a farmer, was rushing up, pitchfork in hand. Others were also gathering.
"Go into the shop, Violet!" called out Harry. "Don't wait—go at once."
The little girl hesitated a few seconds longer, but then ran for the shop door. As she did this, the bull charged upon Harry. The boy saw it would be useless to attempt to stay that rush and so leaped to one side. On came the beast and struck the shop just beside the show window with such force that one of the panes of glass was broken.
"Hi! hi! drat ye!" came from Jerry Flagg, and now he managed to get hold of the end of the rope which was dragging behind the bull. "Git back here, ye villain!"