e coming back, still hugged him in his fearful grip; he also saw the
knife, and would win it. Rapidly, by instinct almost, Leonard measured
the distance with his eye. There was but one plan, to roll to it. The
first roll would leave him undermost, but the dagger would still be out
of Xavier's reach. Then, could he succeed in turning him upon his back
once more, Leonard would be uppermost again, and if he was able to free
his hand it might grasp the weapon. It was a terrible risk, but he
must take it. He lay motionless awhile, husbanding his force, and the
Portugee surged and heaved beneath him; he could feel the muscles of his
mighty frame start up in knots as he struggled. At last Leonard let
him have his way, and over they went, the two of them. Now Xavier was
uppermost, and the mob yelled in triumph, for they thought that the
stranger's strength was spent.

"The knife, the knife!" gasped Xavier, and one of his servants sprang
forward to give it to him. But Otter was watching and started out of the
press, naked sabre in hand: his fierce and ugly face was twitching with
excitement, his black eyes shone, and his vast shoulders worked to and
fro. To Juanna, fascinated by the fearful struggle, the dwarf looked
like some black gnome, like a thing of supernatural power, half toad,
half human.

"He who touches the knife dies!" he said in guttural Arabic, stretching
his long arm and sabre over it. "Let these cocks fight it out, my
masters."

The man shrank back: he also was afraid of Otter, deeming him uncanny;
nor did any other interfere.

Now came the moment of death or victory. As he could not reach the
weapon, with a sudden movement Xavier freed his right hand and grasped
the Englishman's throat; but to do this he must lessen the pressure on
his breast. Leonard felt the grip, and the knowledge that his end was
at hand renewed his powers. Twice he writhed like a snake, gripping the
ground with the muscles of his back and legs; once he swung his frame to
the right, then a vast effort, and lo! Xavier turned slowly over like a
log of wood, and again Leonard lay upon his breast.

Leonard lay upon his breast, and his right arm was free and within reach
of the dagger. But the giant's grasp of his throat was cruel; the blood
drummed in his ears and his senses began to fail. No, he would not die
thus and leave the girl helpless. Where was it? He was blind, he could
see nothing but her white face. He must get free--ah, he knew