But this time the grip was worthless.
For, Brice's left shoulder jutted out in such manner as to keep the arms from getting their former hold around the body itself, and Brice's right elbow held off the grip on the other side.

At the same time the top of Brice's head buried itself under the beachcomber's chin, forcing the giant's jaw upward and backward.

Then, safe inside his opponent's guard, he abandoned his effort to stave off the giant's hold, and passed his own arms about the other's waist, his hands meeting under the small of the larger man's back.
The beach comber tried now to use his freed arms to gain the grip that had once been so effective.

But his clasp could close only over the slope of Brice's back and could find no purchase.
While the man was groping for the right hold, Gavin threw all his own power into a single move.

Tightening his underhold, and drawing in on the small of the giant's back, he raised himself on his toes, and pressed the top of his head, with all his might, against the bottom of the beach-comber's chin.
The trick was not new.