Костёр

           Itflatteneditsearsdownatthesoundoftheman’svoice,anditsrestless,hunchingmovementsandtheliftingsandshiftingsofitsforefeetbecamemorepronouncedbutitwouldnotcometotheman. Hegotonhishandsandkneesandcrawledtowardthedog. Thisunusualpostureagainexcitedsuspicion,andtheanimalsidledmincinglyaway. 

           Themansatupinthesnowforamomentandstruggledforcalmness. Thenhepulledonhismittens,bymeansofhisteeth,andgotuponhisfeet. Heglanceddownatfirstinordertoassurehimselfthathewasreallystandingup,fortheabsenceofsensationinhisfeetlefthimunrelatedtotheearth. Hiserectpositioninitselfstartedtodrivethewebsofsuspicionfromthedog’smind;andwhenhespokeperemptorily,withthesoundofwhip-lashesinhisvoice,thedogrendereditscustomaryallegianceandcametohim. Asitcamewithinreachingdistance,themanlosthiscontrol. Hisarmsflashedouttothedog,andheexperiencedgenuinesurprisewhenhediscoveredthathishandscouldnotclutch,thattherewasneitherbendnorfeelinginthelingers. Hehadforgottenforthemomentthattheywerefrozenandthattheywerefreezingmoreandmore. Allthishappenedquickly,andbeforetheanimalcouldgetaway,heencircleditsbodywithhisarms. Hesatdowninthesnow,andinthisfashionheldthedog,whileitsnarledandwhinedandstruggled. 

           Butitwasallhecoulddo,holditsbodyencircledinhisarmsandsitthere. Herealizedthathecouldnotkillthedog. Therewasnowaytodoit.