He doesn't want to kill the beast unless he has to and there is always the chance the beast will slink away and he won't have to fire.

The beast lowered its head, growled deep in its throat, turned, and slunk away from the light.

Strange birds, startled by his swift and silent passage, flew screaming from his path, and strange beasts slunk to cover beneath him.

By the time the first ounce of rib sauce had slid down her gullet, the beast was slinking away, and she felt safe enough to elucidate.

Twice great banths, wandering loose through the galleries, blocked our progress, but in each instance Thuvia spoke a low word of command and the snarling beasts slunk sullenly away.

As Bukawai entered with Tibo, the beasts slunk toward them, baring yellow fangs.

Presently a huge beast slunk out of the forest into the clearing, and I recognized it.

Instead of attacking us directly, the beasts slunk about just out of range, as though they knew the danger line beyond which they would be safe; then slowly they circled us until we were surrounded.

It was Sheeta, and with grinning jaws the mighty beast slunk silently toward the terror-stricken man.

Yet the sleeping beast is there and, if disturbed, it will one day rise from its slumber and slink into the streets, seeking fresh victims.