Белый клык
The Wall of the World
Sheapproachedmorecautiously,andthecubhadfullopportunitytoobserveherlean,snakelikebody,andherhead,erect,eager,andsnake-likeitself. Hersharp,menacingcrysentthehairbristlingalonghisback,andhesnarledwarninglyather. Shecamecloserandcloser. Therewasaleap,swifterthanhisunpractisedsight,andthelean,yellowbodydisappearedforamomentoutofthefieldofhisvision. Thenextmomentshewasathisthroat,herteethburiedinhishairandflesh.
Atfirsthesnarledandtriedtofight;buthewasveryyoung,andthiswasonlyhisfirstdayintheworld, andhissnarlbecameawhimper,hisfightastruggletoescape. Theweaselneverrelaxedherhold. Shehungon,strivingtopressdownwithherteethtothegreatveinwherehislife-bloodbubbled. Theweaselwasadrinkerofblood,anditwaseverherpreferencetodrinkfromthethroatoflifeitself.
Thegreycubwouldhavedied,andtherewouldhavebeennostorytowriteabouthim,hadnottheshe-wolfcomeboundingthroughthebushes. Theweaselletgothecubandflashedattheshe-wolf’sthroat,missing,butgettingaholdonthejawinstead. Theshe-wolfflirtedherheadlikethesnapofawhip,breakingtheweasel’sholdandflingingithighintheair. And,stillintheair,theshe-wolf’sjawsclosedonthelean,yellowbody, andtheweaselknewdeathbetweenthecrunchingteeth.
Thecubexperiencedanotheraccessofaffectiononthepartofhismother. Herjoyatfindinghimseemedevengreaterthanhisjoyatbeingfound. Shenozzledhimandcaressedhimandlickedthecutsmadeinhimbytheweasel’steeth. Then,betweenthem,motherandcub,theyatetheblood-drinker,andafterthatwentbacktothecaveandslept.
