Page 50 - Jack's victory and other stories about dogs

4S JACK’S VICTORY-.

for Jack, who, de&rly §nough, la d expected tlie

assault, and stood 011 guard to meet it.

The impetuosity of Erebus defeated its own
objcct, Pie was so furious that he lost prudence,

and overshot the mark. It was evidently his
it/
pi&pose to overthrow Jack with the force of

the shock, and, by rolling him over, get the
advantage of him. But he was mistaken. Jack

sprang a Htfcle to one side, and Erebus, scarcely

touching him, passed a little beyond, and in

the effort to recover himself lost his balance.
Quick as thought Jack was upon him, and the

two powerful and infuriated animals, like two

wild beasts, were grappling each other by the

throat, and filling the air with their angry cries.
This was the opportunity that Jack had been

waiting for. and he fought as if it were a matter
O
1
O
of life and death. The energy of the assault and
the sturdy resistance with which it was met,
seemed for a moment to paralyze the other

animals. But they could not stand it long.

Hitherto there had never been any hesitation to

join in a fight. Following the lead of Erebus,