It was a wild-dog! Only a dog, and with a "shoo!" he thought to scare the creature off.

The yellow eyes went from the fire to his face, a red tongue slithered out over the black nose, and the dog sat down again.

All round were the white breasts of the pack, as they sat in silence and stared.

He searched about for a missile, found an empty cartridge, and threw it.

A dog leapt up and sniffed.
The circle seemed to close in.
He shouted at them, and they gave back a yelp, but never stirred.
"All right," he said grimly, then aimed at a white breast and fired.
The pack scattered into the reeds; there was a beating and kicking noise, followed by a wild rush, a savage snarling and snapping of teeth.