The cabin light was burning low.

I saw Maud, my Maud, straining and struggling and crushed in the embrace of Wolf Larsen's arms.

I could see the vain beat and flutter of her as she strove, pressing her face against his breast, to escape from him.

All this I saw on the very instant of seeing and as I sprang forward.
I struck him with my fist, on the face, as he raised his head, but it was a puny blow.

He roared in a ferocious, animal-like way, and gave me a shove with his hand.