He rushed at the younger of the two men--being the one nearest to him.

The ruffian sprang aside out of his reach; snatched up from the table on which it was lying ready, a short loaded staff of leather called "a life-preserver;" and struck him with it on the head, before he had recovered himself, and could face his man once more.
From that moment, he remembered nothing, until he had regained his consciousness after the first shock of the blow.
He found himself lying, giddy and bleeding, on the floor; and he saw the child (who must have strayed into the room while he was senseless) standing petrified with fear, looking at him.

The idea of making use of her--as the only living being near--to give the alarm, came to him instinctively the moment he recognized her.

He coaxed the little creature to venture within reach of his hand; and, dipping his finger in the blood that was flowing from him, sent us the terrible message which I had spelt out on the back of her frock.

That done, he exerted his last remains of strength to push her gently towards the open window, and direct her to go home.