Under His Thumb — page 170: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

~~ UNDER HIS THUMB. 161 ways overcome a determined will, when that will has an active brain behind it. Steve writhed and wriggled with so much agility that for a minute the man had all he could manage. Then, when he felt that he could resist no longer, he gave utterance to a loud, prolonged cry. The instant that the cry passed his lips he ceased struggling, and with a low moan of pain sank as though lifeless at the ruffian’s feet. In the fading light the lad’s face assumed an al- most ghastly hue, while his lips and cheek were smeared with blood. Leary instantly relaxed his grasp, and allowed the lad to lie as he had fallen, at the same time glancing hastily about to see if he was observed. He saw a man running toward him; and without waiting to see whether it was an officer or citizen, the ruffian darted away, and ran as for dear life toward the Brooklyn side of the bridge. The man, who was a bridge policeman, did not at- tempt to pursue the ruffian. Instead he hastened to the side of the boy, who was in the act of rising to his feet. ‘“What’s the rumpus?—did he try to kill you, boy?’’ the officer demanded, catching sight of the lad’s blood-smeared features. Steve Lawton uttered no response. He eluded the outstretched hand of the patrolman, and the next instant-was running like the wind in pursuit of Bill Leary, the ‘‘tough.’’ €oO m (Go aalicel exeye) cS;