Whether he thought this maneuver of the bear's an uncouth form of caress or knew it for a menace,--he moved back from it.

Yet he did so with a leisurely motion, devoid of fear and expressive of a certain lofty contempt.

Perhaps that is why he moved without his native caution.
At all events, the tip of one of the sweeping claws grazed his ear, opening the big vein, and hurting like the very mischief.
On the instant, Lad changed from a mischievous investigator to a deeply offended and angry dog.

No longer in doubt as to Bruin's intent, he slithered out of reach of the grasping arms, with all the amazing speed of a wolf-descended collie of the best sort.

And, in practically the same fraction of a second, he had flashed back to the attack.
Diving in under the other's surprisingly agile arms, he slashed the bear's stomach with one of his razorlike eyeteeth; then spun to one side and was out of reach.