And upon me was that old sickness at the pit of the stomach, caused always by the spectacle of physical violence. In this instance I could not see, but I could hear the impact of the blows- the soft crushing sound made by flesh striking forcibly against flesh. Then there was the crashing about of the entwined bodies, the labored breathing, the short quick gasps of sudden pain.
? ? ? ? There must have been more men in the conspiracy to murder the captain and the mate, for by the sounds I knew that Leach and Johnson had been quickly reinforced.
? ? ? ? 'Get a knife, somebody!' Leach was shouting.
? ? ? ? 'Pound him on the head! Mash his brains out!' was Johnson's cry.
? ? ? ? But after his first bellow Wolf Larsen made no noise. He was fighting grimly and silently for very life. Down at the very first, he had been unable to gain his feet, and for all of his tremendous strength I felt that there was no hope for him.
? ? ? ? The force with which they struggled was vividly impressed on me, for I was knocked down by their surging bodies and badly bruised.
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