In midair Miki wagged his paws; he whined softly; his hard tail thumped the ground as he pleaded for mercy, and he licked his chops and tried to wriggle, as if to tell Neewa that he had no intention at all to do him harm.

Neewa, facing Challoner, snarled defiantly.

He drew himself slowly from over Miki.

And Miki, afraid to move, still lay on his back with his paws in the air.
Very slowly, a look of wonder in his face, Challoner drew back into the tent and peered through a rent in the canvas.
The snarl left Neewa's face.

He looked at the pup.