the old gray Chuck. Every hair stood on end, not with fear, but with
anger, and he sprang in front of Polly.

"Run, Polly, run!" he cried, and Polly ran.

But Johnny didn't run. Oh, my, no! Johnny didn't run. He drew himself
together ready to spring. He showed all his sharp teeth and ground
them savagely. Little sparks of fire seemed to snap out of his eyes.
There was no sign of fear in Johnny Chuck then, not the least little
bit. Just in front of him the dog stopped and barked. He was a little
dog, a young and foolish dog, and he was terribly excited. He barked
until he almost lost his breath. He didn't like the looks of Johnny
Chuck's sharp teeth. So he circled around Johnny, trying to get behind
him. But Johnny turned as the dog circled, and always the little dog
found those sharp teeth directly in front of him. He barked and
barked, until it seemed as if he would bark his head off.

Finally the little dog, who was young and foolish, grew tired of just
dancing around and barking. "Pooh!" said he to himself. "He's nothing
but a Chuck!" Then he stopped barking and sprang straight at Johnny
with an ugly growl.

Johnny Chuck was ready for him and he was quicker than the little dog.
His sharp teeth closed on one of the little dog's ears, and he held on
while with his stout claws he scratched and tore.

The little dog, who was young and foolish and hadn't yet learned how
to fight, couldn't get hold of Johnny Chuck anywhere. Then he tried to
shake Johnny Chuck off, but he couldn't, because Johnny held on to
that ear with his sharp teeth.