The beast struck the ground beyond him noiselessly, its legs asprawl, its hair bristling from rage.

Ten feet beyond Calumet the force of its attack carried it, and it whirled swiftly, to leap again.
But Calumet was not to be surprised the second time.

Standing at the fence, his eyes ablaze with hatred and pain, he crouched.

As the beast leaped Calumet's hand moved at his hip, his heavy six-shooter crashed spitefully, its roar reverberating among the buildings and startling the two gaunt horses in the corral to movement.

The gray beast snarled, crumpled midway in its leap, and dropped at Calumet's feet.