The Indian made for the bank hauling the rope that held the living body, and fastened it to a tree, then drew his knife to cut the jaw muscles of the head that ground its beak into his flesh.

But the muscles were protected by armour plates and bone; he could not deal a stab to end their power.

In vain he fumbled and slashed, until in a spasmodic quiver the jaws gaped wide and the bloody head fell to the ground.

Again it snapped, but a tree branch bore the brunt; on this the strong jaws clinched, and so remained.
For over an hour the headless body crawled, or tried to crawl, always toward the lake.

And now they could look at the enemy.