He did not change his position either, but continued to gaze down with a great curiosity.

For all his pragmatic certitude, it seemed as if he watched the play and movement of life in the hope of discovering something more about it, of discerning in its maddest writhings a something which had hitherto escaped him,--the key to its mystery, as it were, which would make all clear and plain.
But the beating! It was quite similar to the one I had witnessed in the cabin.

The Cockney strove in vain to protect himself from the infuriated boy.

And in vain he strove to gain the shelter of the cabin.

He rolled toward it, grovelled toward it, fell toward it when he was knocked down.
But blow followed blow with bewildering rapidity.