Here I saw a chance, and with a great heave of my body I flung them from me.

For a short instant I was free; my impetuous attack seemed to have startled the enemy; I gathered myself up on my knees.

But my advantage was not to last long.

Another man, whom I had not seen, sprang suddenly on me like a bullet from a catapult.

His fierce onset overthrew me; I was stretched on the ground again, on my back now, and my throat was clutched viciously in strong fingers.