But now arose a wild cry of wrath and revenge and rescue.
A universal hiss of steel, as every sword was swept from its scabbard,
seemed to tear the very air in shreds. I heard the rush of hundreds
towards the platform on which I knelt. I only tightened my grasp of the
brute's throat. His eyes were already starting from his head, and his
tongue was hanging out. My anxious hope was, that, even after they had
killed me, they would be unable to undo my gripe of his throat, before
the monster was past breathing. I therefore threw all my will, and
force, and purpose, into the grasping hand. I remember no blow. A
faintness came over me, and my consciousness departed.