d as the
wolf, with a slashing stroke, ripped the dog's neck from ear to
shoulder. The stones in the enclosure were spattered with red as they
whirled, each trying to reach the throat of the other. Suddenly Chance
leaped up and over the wolf, lunging for his neck as he descended. The
wolf rolled from under and backed toward the cave. "Hey!" yelled
Sundown. "You can't come in here!"

Chance, weakened from loss of blood, lay watching the wolf as it
crouched tensely. Again the great gray shadow lunged and a bright
streak sprung up on the dog's side. "Gee Gosh!" whined Sundown; "he
can't stand much more of that!" Undoubtedly Chance knew it, for he
straight-way gathered himself and leaped in, diving low for the wolf's
fore leg. As the wolf turned his shoulder, Chance again sprang over
him and, descending, caught him just behind the ear, and held. The
wolf writhed and snarled. Chance gripped in and in, with each savage
shake of his head biting deeper. In a mighty effort to free himself
the wolf surged backward, dragging Chance around the enclosure.
Sundown, rising from the cave's mouth, crouched before it. "You got
him! You got him!" he cried. "Once more, now!"

The body of the wolf quivered and sagged, then stiffened as if for a
last effort. Chance held. They were both lying on the stones now.
Chance with fore feet braced against the wolf's chest. Presently the
dog gave a final shake, drew back, and lay panting. From head to
flanks he was soaked with blood. The wolf was dead.

Sundown stood up. "Good boy, Chance!" he said. The great, gaunt body
of the dog raised itself on trembling legs, the pride of the conqueror
lighting for a moment his dimming eyes. "It's me, Chance!" said
Sundown, stroking the dog's head. Chance wagged his tail and reaching
up his torn and bleeding muzzle licked Sundown's hand. Then slowly he
sank to the ground, breathed heavily, and rolled to his side. Sundown
knelt over him and unaccustomed tears ran down his lean cheeks and
dripped on the clotted fur. "You was some fighter, Chance, ole pal!
Gee Gosh! He's nothin' except cuts and slashes all over. Gee Gosh!"
He drew the dog's head to his lap and sat crooning weird, broken words
and stroking the torn ears. Suddenly he stopped and put his hand over
the dog's heart. Then he leaped to his feet and, dumping the fragments
of pottery from his bandanna, tore it in strips and began bandaging the
wounds. The gash on Chance's n