ack.

As he retreated before the irresistible strength that was dominating
him, Roger was winning a battle with himself. All the youth and pride
and strength of him were rebelling at even momentary subjection, but
his will was swiftly gaining the ascendancy within him. The body cried
for a swift and terrible struggle; the mind demanded patience. For
though he could not win he would if he could, before he succumbed, hurt
Garman so terribly that victory would be too dearly purchased to be
enjoyed.

The first clash was over; Garman, contented at having proved himself
the stronger, had ceased to thrust against Roger, and in a moment the
pair came to a standstill. Roger's left fist was still held helpless
in Garman's grip while with his right he fended away the Plunderer's
hand at his throat. Garman was not striking; his great left hand like
a wide-open claw came forward seeking a throttling grip, while the wild
light in his eyes and the ghastly smile on his face showed how sure he
was of an easy triumph.

"I've got you, Payne!" he roared. "Let that sink into your soul. I've
got you. Out here nobody will come or hear you when you begin to
shriek for mercy. Oh, you're going to shriek, all right; don't have
any doubt about that. I know how to do it; I'm going to have some fun
out of this mess after all. Yes, enough fun to pay for all the damage
you've done me. I'm going to play with you, sonny; I'm going to show
you tricks you never heard of. I'm going to make you last a long time
after you begin to shriek and beg me to kill you, and every minute of
it will be to me like a dream come true. Buck me, will you? Then come
to me!"

The last words were accompanied by a sudden jerk. Garman's arms licked
out viciously and Roger found himself clasped to his enemy's breast. A
horror possessed him such as he had never imagined, for Garman's whole
body seemed like his hands, soft, clinging, destructive; and Roger put
all his strength in the effort and broke free.

He must not let Garman get him like that again, he thought as he fought
back. It had cost him too much energy to break the hold. Garman had
been a trifle too assured, not realizing fully his opponent's strength;
and the next time he would make sure that there was no escape from his
gorilla-like arms.

"Come to me, Payne," he repeated softly, reaching for another grip.
"I've got you; feed your soul on those words. So young and full of
life; but I've go