There was no help near! He would spring for my head and shoulders.

If these were out of his way, he could not hold me by my dress which, was a thin muslin wrapper.

He was not likely to leap until something moved, and might lie there sometime.

I had heard that a panther will not jump under the gaze of a human eye, so I looked steadily into his, while I talked to him.
"Tom! Tom! Down sir," and so tried to recall his knowledge of me.
Fortunately my feet were a little in advance of my crutches, and while I looked and talked, holding my body motionless, I was planting my crutches and throwing my weight on my well foot.

I heard the girl coming out of the house and knew the time had come.