now!

They thought that he was spent: see! his head fell, when suddenly he
lifted himself and heaved up his arm.

Crash it came full on the forehead of Xavier, that in its turn was
pillowed on the stony earth. The grip slackened. Crash again, a fearful
and despairing blow! Leonard's throat was free, and the air rushed into
his bursting lungs. Now he could see and grasp the knife, but there
was no need to use it. The great man beneath him flung his arms wide,
shivered, and grew still.

Then it was, while men paused wondering at those awful blows, that
Juanna, mindful of her deliverer's bidding, turned and fled, sick at
heart but unhindered, to the edge of the ditch opposite the drawbridge.
Otter also rushed up and dragged Leonard from the ground.

"_Wow!_" he cried, "a good fight and a great blow! Dead, by my mother's
spirit, and no touch of steel. Awake, my father, awake! for if the boar
is down the pigs remain!"

Leonard heard his words dimly and knew their import. With an effort he
ceased to stagger and rested his weight upon the dwarf, much as a man
might lean upon some sturdy post. His breath came back to him and his
mind cleared. He looked round and saw Juanna standing near the bridge
like one who hesitates whether to fly or stay.

"Sirs," gasped Leonard, "I have fought and I have won. Now let me go in
peace with the girl. Is the man alive?"

A ring of men had crowded round the body of Xavier, and in their centre
knelt the priest Francisco. At this moment he rose and said:

"It is useless to minister to him; he is no more."

The slavers looked at Leonard with awe not unmixed with admiration. Who
had ever seen such a thing, that one whose strength had been a byword
should be slain with the naked fist? They forgot that it is easy to kill
the man whose head rests upon a stone.

Presently, however, their wonder gave way to rage. Xavier had been
a favourite among them, and they were not minded that he should die
unavenged. So they drew round Leonard scowling and cursing.

"Stand back," he said, "and let me pass. I fought your friend fairly;
had I wished to take advantage of him, should I not have used this?" And
for the first time he remembered and drew his Colt, the sight of which
cooled their ardour somewhat, for they gave way. "Perhaps you will give
me an arm, Father," Leonard went on, speaking to the priest, who was
standing by. "I am much shaken."

Francisco complied, and they started towards Juanna,