In spite of smoke, he had gauged and held his circle nicely, for straight ahead lay the man's legs.

Taken thus in the rear, he still lay prone, staring down the slope, inactive; yet legs, body, and the bent arm that clutched a musket beside him in the grass, were stiff with some curious excitement.

He seemed ready to spring up and fire.
No time to lose, thought Rudolph; and rising, measured his distance with a painful, giddy exactness.

He would have counted to himself before leaping, but his throat was too dry.

He flinched a little, then shot through the air, and landed heavily, one knee on each side, pinning the fellow down as he grappled underneath for the throat.