They writhed and struggled like pythons close-locked in a combat to the death.
It was a question merely of time and endurance—one maniac against another; fighting to kill in silence—a duel with the hands.
Which would be choked first?
Jean Petit’s fingers were embedded in the German’s neck like talons.
The Death of the German.
Tom Pagdin, Pirate. [Page 124.]
Holterman’s hands clasped Petit’s throat like a compressing band of steel.
The Frenchman gasped. He had not the staying powers of the Teuton. In a few seconds more he would be overcome. They had overturned a stool in the struggle. The legs were broken out, and rolled under Holterman’s elbow as they fought. Holterman, feeling the resistance of his foe lessening, and being not too clear of thought, released his hold and picked up one of these to beat out the other’s brains.