He struck viciously at her with his fist, the blow landing on her shoulder near the neck.

It had been aimed at her face, but she had somehow dodged it.

The force of the blow brought Jimmy against her, and he seized her around the waist and attempted to throw her.

She brought the switch down sharply on Jimmy's legs as they struggled, and the sting of the blow enraged the boy.

He deliberately wrenched himself loose; then leaped forward, swinging his arms viciously.
He had not struck the girl fairly, but she was in a daze from the rapid movement, and she was not aware of what was going on around her, centering all her energy in an attempt to keep the boy from striking her face.
But she suddenly became conscious that a big form had loomed close to her; she heard a deep, angry voice saying: "I'll attend to you--you young pirate!" And then Jimmy was jerked backward, away from her; and she saw Kane Lawler standing not more than two or three paces from her.