His leap carried him almost up to Muskwa.

He was about to make another spring when Langdon rushed forward with a fierce cry, caught the dog by his collar, and with the end of the leash gave him a sound beating.

Then he led him away.
This act puzzled Muskwa more than ever.

The man had saved him.

He had beaten the monster with the red mouth and the white fangs, and all of those monsters were now being taken away at the end of ropes.
When Langdon returned he stopped close to Muskwa's tree and talked to him.
Muskwa allowed Langdon's hand to approach within six inches of him, and did not snap at it.