He sought finally to deliver this blow, but the effort was near to proving his ruin.

Just as he swung forward, the giant, with a sudden contraction of all his vast frame, sprang out and brought down his war axe in a sheer downward blow at half-arm's length.

White Calf with lightning speed changed his own attack into defence, sweeping up his weapon to defend his head.

On the instant his arm was beaten down.

It fell helpless at his side, the axe only hanging to his hand by means of the loop passed around the wrist.