Quite plainly he also was taken by surprise.
Desperately, with a streaming forehead, he changed his tactics.

He had no skill.

Until that day he had relied upon superior strength and weight to bring him victorious through every casual fray; and it had never before failed him.

But that merciless, suffocating hold compelled him to abandon offensive measures to effect his escape.

He stopped his wild and futile hammering and with his one free hand he grasped the back of his opponent's neck.
The move was practically inevitable, but its effect was such as only one anticipated.