I slugged him on the side of his head, but it was only a half-arm blow and didn’t carry much steam. He raised himself off me and clubbed down at my upturned face with his fist. I just managed to get my face out of the way and belted him in the chest, a good, solid punch that sent him over on his back.
I scrambled to my feet in time to stop his rush with a jab to his face. His head went back, and I sailed in, punching with both hands. I caught him on the side of his jaw and his knees buckled. A long, looping right-hand punch sent him to the sand.
The way was open now, but my breath had gone, and I could scarcely move one leg after the other.
‘Hold it!’
The menace in the voice made me turn.
The short, square-shouldered character had come pounding up. In his right fist he held a .45, pointing at me.
I stopped.
‘Reach up and clasp some cloud!’
My hands went up. It was a relief just to stand there and get my breath. With any luck at all, Paula would be well out of the way by now.
The fisherman I had knocked down got to his feet. He came across to me, a sheepish grin on his face.