I trampled them under my feet, thrust my fingers in their eyes, caught them in jaws stronger than theirs, but could not rid myself of one.

Without cease they kept discovering upon me space for fresh mouthfuls; they hauled at my skin with the widespread, horribly curved pincers of clutching claws; they hissed and spat in my face--but never touched it until, in my despair, I threw myself on the ground, when they forsook my body, and darted at my face.

I rose, and immediately they left it, the more to occupy themselves with my legs.

In an agony I broke from them and ran, careless whither, cleaving the solid dark.

They accompanied me in a surrounding torrent, now rubbing, now leaping up against me, but tormenting me no more.