The rifle butt splintered in my hands, but the bent and shapeless barrel rose and fell like a flail.

I saw it crush against skulls; I jabbed it straight into red faces; I brought it down with all my force on clutching arms.

For an instant Tim was beside me.

He had lost his gun and was fighting with a knife.

It was only a glimpse I had of him through red mist--the next instant he was gone.