Fear was everywhere. Above him... around him... inside him. He smelled his sweat, and the dirtiness of his skin. The sand was hot, the air stood still. Everything seemed to be covered with a veil of silk. Ralph closed his eyes. The voices came nearer and nearer, as he heard their singing, "Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!" Ralph shivered as if he had been touched by a cold hand, a dead hand. He wasn't able to do anything but wait... wait for the things which will come.
They came, arrived with a giant cry. "There he is! Catch him! Kill him!" They were going to throw their spears but Jack lifted his hand. …
