They had retained their clutch on the gun-sling carrying the pig, and, before they realized what was toward--they were slow thinkers both--a pair of hands was clasped around each throat.

The Russians were big men, and they struggled hard.

A silent, terrible battle was waged under the trees, but, try as they would, the Russians could not get release from the terrible grasp of the Frenchmen.

The breath left their bodies, their eyes protruded, their faces turned black.
Marteau suddenly released his prisoner, who dropped heavily to the ground.

To bind him with his own breast and gun straps and belt was a work of a few moments.