.Hernakedbreastswerebleeding,andavidlythestrangerheldherinhisgrip.Goldmundthrewhimselfuponhim,hisfuriousfingersgrabbingthemansthroat.Itfeltthinandstringy,coveredwithawoollybeard.WithgleeGoldmundpressedthethroatuntilthemagoofthegirlandhunglimplybetweenhishands;stillthrottlinghim,Goldmunddraggedtheexhausted,half-deadmanalongthegroundtoafewgrayribsofrockprotrudingfromtheearth.Heraisedthedefeatedmahoughhewas,twice,threetimesintheairandsmashedhisheadagainstthesharp-edgedrocks,brokehisnedthrewthebodydown.Hisangerwasstillnotfullyvented;hewouldhavelikedtomahemanfurther.

    Radiant,Leandwatched.Herbreastswerebleeding;shewasstilltremblingalloverandpanting,butshesoongatheredherselftogether.Withaforlornlookoflustandadmiratiochedherpowerfullgiruderthroughtheheather,throttlinghim,breakinghisnedthrowinghiscorpsedown.Likeadeadsnake,limpanddistorted,thebodylayontheground,thegrayfacewithubeardandthinninghairfallingpitifullytooneside.TriumphantLeupandfellagainstGoldmu,butsuddenlysheturnedpale.Frightwasstillinher;shefeltsick.Exhausted,shesankintotheblueberrybushes.ButsoonshewasabletowalktothehutwithGoldmund.Hewashedherbreasts;onewasscratchedaherboreabitewoundfromthemaraudersteeth.

    TheadventureexcitedRobertenormously.Hotlyheaskedfordetailsofthebat."Youbrokehisneck,yousay?Magnifit!Goldmund,youareaterrifyingman."

    ButGoldmunddidnotfeelliketalkingaboutitanymore;hehadcooledoff.Ashewalkedawayfromthedeadman,poorboastingViktorhadetohismind.Thiswasthesedpersonwhohaddiedathishan