Alan was dirking him with his left hand, but the fellow clung like a leech.

Another had broken in and had his cutlass raised.

The door was thronged with their faces.

I thought we were lost, and catching up my cutlass, fell on them in flank.
But I had not time to be of help.

The wrestler dropped at last; and Alan, leaping back to get his distance, ran upon the others like a bull, roaring as he went.