Catching up his rifle, he made for the
direction of the bark; running at top speed.
The bear put an end to the moment of hesitancy. Lunging forward,
he raked at the crouching collie, with one of his murderous
claws; in a gesture designed to gather the impudent dog into his
death-embrace.
Now, even from humans, except only the Mistress and the Master,
Lad detested patting or handling of any kind. Whether he thought
this maneuver of the bear's an uncouth form of caress or knew it
for a menace,--he moved back from it. Yet he did so with a
leisurely motion, devoid of fear and expressive of a certain
lofty contempt. Perhaps that is why he moved without his native
caution.
At all events, the tip of one of the sweeping claws grazed his
ear, opening the big vein, and hurting like the very mischief.
On the instant, Lad changed from a mischievous investigator to a
deeply offended and angry dog. No longer in doubt as to Bruin's
intent, he slithered out of reach of the grasping arms, with all
the amazing speed of a wolf-descended collie of the best sort.
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