The cat halted in mid air, missed the ape by but a hair's breadth,
and with horrid snarlings rolled over upon its back, clutching and
clawing in an effort to reach and dislodge the antagonist biting
at its neck and knifing it in the side.
Akut, startled by the sudden rush from his rear, and following hoary
instinct, was in the tree beside the girl with an agility little
short of marvelous in so heavy a beast. But the moment that he
turned to see what was going on below him brought him as quickly
to the ground again. Personal differences were quickly forgotten
in the danger which menaced his human companion, nor was he a whit
less eager to jeopardize his own safety in the service of his friend
than Korak had been to succor him.
The result was that Sheeta presently found two ferocious creatures
tearing him to ribbons. Shrieking, snarling and growling, the three
rolled hither and thither among the underbrush, while with staring
eyes the sole spectator of the battle royal crouched trembling in
the tree above them hugging Geeka frantically to her breast.
It was the boy's knife which eventually decided the battle, and as
the fierce feline shuddered convulsively and rolled over upon its
side the youth and the ape rose and faced one another across the
prostrate carcass.
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