Its displacement revealed a great hole in the throne, like the hollow of a decayed tree, going down apparently a great way.

But I had no time to examine it, for, as I looked into it, up out of it rushed a great brute, like a wolf, but twice the size, and tumbled me headlong with itself, down the steps of the throne.

As we fell, however, I caught it by the throat, and the moment we reached the platform, a struggle commenced, in which I soon got uppermost, with my hand upon its throat, and knee upon its heart.

But now arose a wild cry of wrath and revenge and rescue.
A universal hiss of steel, as every sword was swept from its scabbard, seemed to tear the very air in shreds.

I heard the rush of hundreds towards the platform on which I knelt.