Down came the bear, on all fours; raging from the slash.

Lurching forward, he flung his huge bulk at the dog.
Lad flashed out of reach, but with less leeway than he would have expected.

For Bruin, for all his awkwardness, could move with bewildering speed.
And, as the bear turned, Lad was at him again, nipping the hairy flank, till his teeth met in its fat; and then diving as before under the lunging body of the foe.
It was at this point the Master hove in sight.

He was just in time to see the flank-bite and to see Lad dance out of reach of the furious counter.

It was an interesting spectacle, there in the gray dawn and in the primeval forest's depths;--this battle between a gallant dog and a ragingly angry bear.