The truth forced itself upon him now in all its dread reality.

But no unmanly terrors filled his breast at that moment.

The fear of man or of violent death was a sensation which the seaman never knew.

The feeling of the huge injustice that was about to be done filled him with generous indignation; the blood rushed to his temples, and, with a bound like a tiger, he leaped out of the jailer's grasp, hurling him to the ground in the act.
With the strength almost of a Samson he wrestled with his cords for a few seconds; but they were new and strong.

He failed to burst them.