He strove to batter the tenacious little man to senselessness.

But he could hit nothing but the sloping back, or aim clumsily cramped hooks for the top and sides of Gavin's protected head.
Meantime, the pressure was increasing, with a coldly scientific precision.

Human nature could not endure it.

In his extremity, the beach comber attempted the same ruse that had been so successful for Brice.

He slumped, in pseudo-helplessness.