determined to stay some years in England for the education of his only
son. When Tommy Merton came from Jamaica he was six years old. Naturally
very good-natured, he had been spoiled by indulgence. His mother was so
fond of him that she gave him everything he cried for, and would not let
him learn to read because he complained that it made his head ache. The
consequence was that, though Master Merton had everything he wanted, he
was fretful and unhappy, made himself disagreeable to everybody, and
often met with very dangerous accidents. He was also so delicately
brought up that he was perpetually ill.

Very near to Mr. Merton's seat lived a plain, honest farmer named
Sandford, whose only son, Harry, was not much older than Master Merton,
but who, as he had always been accustomed to run about in the fields, to
follow the labourers when they were ploughing, and to drive the sheep to
their pasture, was active, strong, hardy, and fresh-coloured. Harry had
an honest, good-natured countenance, was never out of humour, and took
the greatest pleasure in obliging others, in helping those less
fortunate than himself, and in being kind to every living thing. Harry
was a great favourite, particularly with Mr. Barlow, the clergyman of
the parish, who taught him to read and write, and had him almost always
with him.

One summer morning, while Master Merton and a maid were walking in the
fields, a large snake suddenly started up and curled itself round
Tommy's leg. The maid ran away, shrieking for help, whilst the child, in
his terror, dared not move. Harry, who happened to be near, ran up, and
seizing the snake by the neck, tore it from Tommy's leg, and threw it to
a great distance. Mrs. Merton wished to adopt the boy who had so bravely
saved her son, and Harry's intelligence so appealed to Mr. Merton that
he thought it would be an excellent thing if Tommy could also benefit by