He came forward inch by inch, and I had the sensation of awaiting the spring of some creeping animal, about to leap upon me.
With tense muscles, the heavy chair poised for a blow, I measured the distance as indicated by faint, shuffling sounds, perceptible only because of the profound stillness.
I could not see, but I knew; I felt his presence; in imagination I pictured him, with arms outstretched, barely beyond my reach, deliberately advancing one foot for yet another step forward.

With all my force I struck! Blindly as it had been delivered, the blow hit fair; there was a thud, an inarticulate groan, and the fall of a body onto the floor--beyond that nothing.

I waited breathlessly, the chair back gripped in my hands, anxiously listening for the slightest movement.

There was none to be distinguished; not so much as the quiver of a muscle.

I felt Dorothy touch my shoulder, and caught the sound of her voice, trembling at my ear.
"What it is?
What did you do ?" "I struck him with a chair; he lies there on the deck.