Besides, Oochak looked like an easy victim if it came to a fight.

So he pulled back his lips and snarled.
Oochak accepted this as an invitation for him to move on, and being a gentleman who respected other people's preserves he made his apologies by beginning a velvet-footed exit.

This was too much for Miki, who had yet to learn the etiquette of the forest trails.

Oochak was afraid of him.

He was running away! With a triumphant yelp Miki took after him.
After all, it was simply a mistake in judgment.