beast, which was making sad havoc. Crowds of people were running past
our shop in one direction, and the cries of "Mad bull!" were re-echoed
in every quarter. Mr Cophagus, who was in the shop, and to whom, as I
have before observed, a mad bull was a source of great profit, very
naturally looked out of the shop to ascertain whether the animal was
near to us. In most other countries, when people hear of any danger,
they generally avoid it by increasing their distance; but in England, it
is too often the case, that they are so fond of indulging their
curiosity, that they run to the danger. Mr Cophagus, who perceived the
people running one way, naturally supposed, not being aware of the
extreme proximity of the animal, that the people were running to see
what was the matter, and turned his eyes in that direction, walking out
on the pavement that he might have a fairer view. He was just observing,
"Can't say--fear--um--rascal Pleggit--close to him--get all the
custom--wounds--contusions--and"--when the animal came suddenly round
the corner upon Mr Cophagus, who had his eyes the other way, and before
he could escape, tossed him through his own shop windows, and landed him
on the counter. Not satisfied with this, the beast followed him into the
shop. Timothy and I pulled Mr Cophagus over towards us, and he dropped
inside the counter, where we also crouched, frightened out of our wits.
To our great horror the bull made one or two attempts to leap the
counter; but not succeeding, and being now attacked by the dogs and
butcher boys, he charged at them through the door, carrying away our
best scales on his horns as a trophy, as he galloped out of the shop in
pursuit of his persecutors. When the shouts and hallooes were at some
little distance, Timothy and I raised our heads and looked round us; and
perceiving that all was safe, we proceeded to help Mr Cophagus, who
remained on the floor bleeding, and in a state of insensibility. We
carried him into the back parlour and laid him on the sofa. I desired
Timothy to run for surgical aid as fast as he could, while I opened a