The male had missed his claw-hold, and driven by rage and ferocity, fought to impale his victim from the ground, without launching himself into the air again.

Swiftly he struck, again and again, while his wings beat like clubs.

Suddenly his talons sank into the cloth wrapped about Peter's neck.

Terror and shock gave way to a fighting madness inside Peter now.

He struck up, and buried his fangs in a mass of feathers so thick he could not feel the flesh.