virgin of the rocks

there to get the bull instead of to make him run. And just then he gave a snort and a snarl and rushed at me. His eyes were blazing, his mouth was wide open; the teeth gleamed cruelly white. Without shame, I confess that it was I that turned tail and footed it. He ran awkwardly, but he ran well. He was but two paces behind when I tumbled into the boat, and as I shoved off with an oar his teeth crunched down upon the blade. The stout wood was crushed like an egg-shell. Maud and I were astounded. A moment later he had dived under the boat, seized the keel in his mouth, and was shaking the boat violently. ¡¡¡¡'My!' said Maud. 'Let's go back.'
¡¡¡I shook my head. 'I can do what other men have done, and I know that other men have clubbed seals. But I think I'll leave the bulls alone next time. ¡¡¡¡'I wish you wouldn't,' she said. ¡¡¡¡'Now don't say, "Please, please,"' I cried, half angrily, I do believe. ¡¡¡¡She made no reply, and I knew my tone must have hurt her. ¡¡¡¡'I beg your pardon,' I said, or shouted, rather, in order to make myself heard above the roar of the rookery. 'If you say so, I'll turn and go back; but honestly, I'd rather stay.'