|
|
|
|
|
|
|
that all display had been bred out of them. In fact, there was an eerie absence of clues that the pit, in a matter of moments, would be a spectacle of fury. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The referee waited for the handlers to square off the dogs. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"What's his name?" Muzzy asked. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
But before Jerry could answer, the referee called out, "Gentlemen, release your dogs." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The dogs flew at each other, meeting head-on near the center of the pit. Mouths open, they balanced against each other on hind legs and tried to clamp down on an exposed jaw or nose. There was a lot of movement and snapping but little noise from the dogs. It always amazed Jerry how such primitive ferocity could be so quiet. Not once during the half-hour match did a dog let out anything more than a snarl. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The crowd, however, kept up a constant cheering, reaching crescendo when Max caught Boomer by the right haunch and took out a chunk of flesh. In a split-second reflex, Boomer tried to lick it, but Max caught him on the other hind leg. With bloody jaws locked, Max then shook his head as if to tear it off. But in his enthusiasm he got his head too close, and Boomer caught him by the left ear and tore off the tip. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The place went wild. Muzzy's face was like a giant tomato. He elbowed Jerry. "It don't get much better than this, hah?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jerry said nothing, but his concentration was shattered. There were times when he'd fix so intensely on the animals that he fought the match inside his own bodyhis movements and instincts indistinguishable from those of the animals. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Soon both dogs were covered with blood. As Boomer turned to his right, Max flew at him, catching his neck. With a furious thrust of his hind legs, he drove Boomer into the corner to keep him from rolling out of the hold. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Smart move," Muzzy shouted. He was on his feet with the others. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Boomer raised his front leg to fend off Max's jaw, a fatal mistake. Max chomped it with that industrial-strength vice, breaking the leg short of the elbow. As Boomer rolled against the pain, Max went at the other leg, snapping that one with the same savage thrashing of his head. Boomer rolled onto his stomach and tried to crawl toward |
|
|
|
|
|