I saw her struggle to break free, and then, out of the shadow I leaped at him, both hands seeking his throat.

There was to be no alarm, no shooting, if it could be avoided.
While it might be true, as he had boasted, that the crew was forward, we could afford to take no chance.

The very impetus of my rush sent him staggering, and left her helpless on the deck; yet I got grip on his collar, choking back the first cry, and struck him once, a half-arm jolt, which would have sent him sprawling, but for the cabin wall.

Yet he rallied so quickly as to overcome this advantage.

Judging him from his size I had underrated his fighting ability, for he was all muscle, swift in movement as a cat, squirming out of my grasp before I could close firmly.