There they had begun and had waged the eternal cat-and-dog feud, of the ages.
Ancestry now told Lad that there is perhaps no more murderously dangerous foe than an angry wildcat.

Ancestry also told him a wolf's one chance of certain victory in such a contest.

Ancestry's aid was not required, to tell him the mortal peril awaiting this human child who had so grievously and causelessly tormented him.

But the great loyal heart, in this stark moment, took no thought of personal grudges.

There was but one thing to do,--one perilous, desperate chance to take; if the child were to be saved.
The wildcat sprang.
Such a leap could readily have carried it across double the space which lay between it and Cyril.