He could do nothing but keep his place, and continue to fight off the furious assailant with his free arm--the hand getting torn at each contact, till the blood could be seen trickling from the tips of his fingers.
It is difficult to say how long this curious contest might have continued, or how it would have terminated, had the combatants been left to themselves.

In all probability it would have ended by the boy's having his skull cleft open or his eyes torn out; or, growing feeble, he would have lost his hold upon the ladder and fallen to the foot of the tree--of itself certain death.
It in reality looked as if this would be the lamentable result, and very quickly.

Saloo had sprung to the tree, and was already ascending to the rescue.

But for all that he might be too late; or even if successful in reaching the elevated point where Henry struggled against danger, he might still be unable to effect his deliverance.

The alarmed father seemed to fear this, as he stood gazing, with agony depicted on his face--agony at the thought of seeing his dear boy exposed to such a fearful peril, and feeling himself so helpless to rescue him.
All at once a thought flashed into his mind, that at least gave him some relief through the necessity of action.