Page:Silversheene (1924).djvu/58

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desperate struggle. They did not snarl or bark as dogs do, but fought silently. Then to Richard's dismay Silversheene gave ground and the wolf slowly drove him into the open. This had been a ruse on Silversheene's part, but Dick did not know it.

They came into a small open place at the edge of the forest and Richard saw the desperate battle to the very end, the fight that the brave dog was waging for him.

They did not clinch, but springing, slashed and then sprang again. They were so quick in their movements that the man could hardly tell the dog from the wolf. Silversheene was punishing the wolf, and he himself was also being punished.

It made Dick wince as he heard the savage blow of the wolf's jaws upon the face of his dog friend as they fought. But Silversheene's long coat stood him in good stead that night, especially about the throat. Once the wolf almost got the death grip. For several minutes the battle swayed first this way and then that. Sometimes Dick