There was a slight inward contraction of the grip; then it ceased.
Miraculously he felt the great hand relax and fall away.

The bulk was heaved away from him, and staggering to his own feet, he saw Bull Hunter supported against a tree, one leg useless, one arm streaming.
"I couldn't seem to do it," said Bull Hunter thickly.

"I couldn't noways seem to do it, Reeve.

You see, I sort of like you, and I couldn't kill you, Pete." When Pete Reeve recovered from his astonishment he said, "You can do more.

You can go home and tell that infernal hound of an uncle of yours that you had the life of Pete Reeve under your fingertips and that you didn't take it.