He was caught between fire and water; he made a
superhuman effort, the effort of a counterfeiter of money who is on the point of being boiled, and who seeks to escape.
But however prolonged and exhausting the chase, the harpooneer is expected to pull his oar meanwhile to the uttermost; indeed, he is expected to set an example of
superhuman activity to the rest, not only by incredible rowing, but by repeated loud and intrepid exclamations; and what it is to keep shouting at the top of one's compass, while all the other muscles are strained and half started --what that is none know but those who have tried it.
There remained nothing more but to see the heroes of this
superhuman enterprise.
In fact, it was to be but the first of a long series of
superhuman expeditions.
There was a light in his eyes as they looked at her which transfigured his face to something
superhuman and devilish.
Then they saw her stoop down, and once more with that almost
superhuman strength which seemed to belong to her for those few moments, she lifted the strange object who lay cowering there, high above her head.
Are you
superhuman? Are you an angel?" And the young man, who had never shrunk from danger, shrank before Monte Cristo with indescribable terror.
By dint of
superhuman effort, and putting such a seal upon their lips as never mortals put before, the two girls succeeded in keeping their wonderful news to themselves; although it was obvious to all beholders that they were in an extraordinary and abnormal state of mind.
Note well, though, that Herrera's preoccupation throughout that day and night of
superhuman strain is always for the Master's bodily health and comfort.
His last
superhuman efforts were vain and both halves of the door noiselessly opened.
In silence the three men followed the new trail, all puzzled beyond measure to account for the death of Number One at the hands of what must have been a creature of
superhuman strength.
The shock to my already overstrained nervous system was terrible in the extreme, and with a
superhuman effort I strove to break my awful bonds.