Белый клык
The Clinging Death
Cherokeeidentifiedhimselfwithhisinstinct. Heknewthathewasdoingtherightthingbyholdingon,andtherecametohimcertainblissfulthrillsofsatisfaction. Atsuchmomentsheevenclosedhiseyesandallowedhisbodytobehurledhitherandthither,willy-nilly,carelessofanyhurtthatmighttherebycometoit. Thatdidnotcount. Thegripwasthething,andthegriphekept.
WhiteFangceasedonlywhenhehadtiredhimselfout. Hecoulddonothing,andhecouldnotunderstand. Never,inallhisfighting,hadthisthinghappened. Thedogshehadfoughtwithdidnotfightthatway. Withthemitwassnapandslashandgetaway,snapandslashandgetaway. Helaypartlyonhisside,pantingforbreath. Cherokeestillholdinghisgrip,urgedagainsthim,tryingtogethimoverentirelyonhisside. WhiteFangresisted,andhecouldfeelthejawsshiftingtheirgrip,slightlyrelaxingandcomingtogetheragaininachewingmovement. Eachshiftbroughtthegripclosertohisthroat. Thebull-dog’smethodwastoholdwhathehad,andwhenopportunityfavouredtoworkinformore. OpportunityfavouredwhenWhiteFangremainedquiet. WhenWhiteFangstruggled,Cherokeewascontentmerelytoholdon.
ThebulgingbackofCherokee’sneckwastheonlyportionofhisbodythatWhiteFang’steethcouldreach. Hegotholdtowardthebasewheretheneckcomesoutfromtheshoulders;buthedidnotknowthechewingmethodoffighting,norwerehisjawsadaptedtoit. Hespasmodicallyrippedandtorewithhisfangsforaspace.Thenachangeintheirpositiondivertedhim. Thebull-doghadmanagedtorollhimoveronhisback,andstillhangingontohisthroat,wasontopofhim.
