At all events, Ruloff swung aloft the belt once more and strode toward the two; balancing himself for a kick at the thundrously growling dog.
The kick did not land.

For, even as Sonya cried out in new terror, Lad launched himself at the Slav.
All unprepared for the clash, and being an utter coward at heart--if he had a heart--the father reeled back, under the impact.

Losing his balance, he tumbled prone to earth.
By the time his back struck ground, Lad was upon him; ravening uselessly at the swarthy throat.
But, yelling with fright, Ruloff fended him off; and twisted and writhed out of reach; bunching his feet under him and, in a second, staggering up and racing for the shelter of the nearest tree.
Up the low-stretching branches the man swarmed, until he was well out of reach.

Then, pausing in his climb, he shook his fist down at the collie, who was circling the tree in a vain attempt to find some way of climbing it.
Chattering, mouthing, gibbering like a monkey, Ruloff shook an impotent fist at the dog that had treed him; and squalled insults at him and at the hysterically delighted child.
Sonya rushed up to Lad, flinging her arms around him and trying to kiss him.

At her embrace, the collie's tension relaxed.