Almost did I hope that I might be killed at once.
And yet, and yet, how was it possible that with all my skill I should have missed this towering mountain of flesh four times in succession.
The question is one to which I have never discovered any answer, especially as Hans hit it easily enough, which at the time I wished heartily he had not done, since his success only served to emphasize my miserable failure.

Fortunately, just then a diversion occurred which freed my unhappy self from further public attention.

With a shout and a roar the great army of the Black Kendah woke into life.
The advance had begun..