The blade flashed snakelike in his powerful grasp, the soldiers falling back before the fierce onslaught.

Great granite rocks rise up like giants to dispute our passage, but by numerous twistings the path skirts their base, or wriggles snakelike over the top.

"Will you take this to Jim Perris for me?" A gulp, a grin, a nod, he was down from the wagon in a flash and using his leanness to wriggle snakelike through the crowd.