reature of fighting breed. It lunged forward with such suddenness
that both its mistress and its enemy were taken unawares. The girl was
dragged in tow. Zeke would have leaped aside, but he was too late to
escape the encounter, though he mitigated it. The iron jaws clanged
shut, but in the slack of the victim's sturdy jeans, instead of in the
flesh. The massive mouth was locked vise-like. Because of the cloth's
sturdiness, the dog swung clear of the floor. The girl still strove
frantically, though vainly, at the leash, shrieking commands which
were unheeded. Zeke, confused, chagrined, ashamed, wrathful, shook
himself violently to be free, without avail. The other passengers
scurried forth, with a panic cry of "Mad dog!"

Zeke's wrath mounted. He had had little training in self-restraint,
and his passions were of the primitive sort. Now, abruptly, the lesser
emotions were overwhelmed by the might of his rage. He was conscious
only of the humiliating fact that this hideous man-faced dog had
fastened itself on him, and there hung. Zeke bent and twisted, his two
hands on the creature's jaws. Then he set himself to wrench them
apart. His strength, great as it was availed nothing against that
remorseless grip. The resistance goaded him to fury. He gave over the
effort to prise the teeth apart, and put all his might into a frenzied
pull. There were instants of resistance, then the hissing noise of
rending cloth. A huge fragment of the stout jeans was torn out bodily.
Zeke hurled the animal violently from him. The leash was snapped from
the girl's hands. The dog's body shot across the cabin, hurtled
against the wall. The indomitable brute tumbled to the floor, and lay
there stunned. But even in defeat, he carried down with him between
rigid jaws the blue-jeans banner of victory.

With a bound, the girl crossed the space, and fell on her knees beside
the inert form, crooning over it pitifully. In the same moment, the
gust of anger in Zeke ended. He stood motionless, except for his
quickened breathing, with eyes fast on the girl. Remorse stabbed him
as he realized her distress, for which he was responsible. He went
toward her hesitatingly, forgetful of bag and stick, which had fallen
at the outset of the melee. He ventured to address her, stammering
confusedly.

"I 'low he hain't daid, nor nothin' like thet," he said; "jest takin'
a nap-like." His wrath gave a final flicker, as he looked down at the
ugly face cushioned within