The one chance seemed to be to shoot him, and there must be no bungling, lest his prostrate master suffer at the same time.

The crowd had melted away into the houses, and were now standing at doorways and windows, ready for instant retreat.
Filion Lacasse's gun was now at disposal, but who would fire it?
Jo Portugais was an expert shot, and he reached out a hand for the weapon.
As he did so, Rosalie Evanturel cried: "Wait, oh, wait!" Before any one could interfere she moved along the open space to the mad beast, speaking soothingly, and calling his name.
The crowd held their breath.

A woman fainted.

Some wrung their hands, and Jo Portugais, with blanched face, stood with gun half raised.

With assured kindness of voice and manner, Rosalie walked deliberately over to the hound.