"
It seemed as though the wolf-dog understood the written words, for now he
moved toward Joan and she, with a cry, dropped the squealing puppy and
caught the great head of Bart in her arms. The puppy wailed, sitting down
on his haunches, and quivering with grief.
"Daddy Dan wants me," explained Joan with bright eyes. "He's sent for me. Go
quick, Bart!"
The big animal lay down to facilitate her mounting.
"Joan!" called Kate. The child hesitated and turned toward her. Her mother
had taken up that light revolver which Dan had taught her to use so well,
and now, as she leveled it at the wolf-dog, Bart laid his fangs bare in
silent hate. The weapons of Buck and Lee Haines were ready, and now Bart
raised himself a little and commenced to drag gradually forward to leaping
distance.
"Drop your gun, Kate," cautioned Buck. "For God's sake drop your gun. Even
if you hit him with a bullet, he'll be at your throat. Unless you kill him
with the first shot he'll have you. Drop your gun, and then he'll go at
us."
But Joan knew perfectly well what those gleaming bits of steel meant.
Pages:
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367