At that moment the dog on board began to bark furiously, announcing the captain's presence and danger at the same time.
He abandoned the shelter of a hillock of coal, advancing over an open space.

He concentrated all his will power upon gaining his vessel as quickly as possible.
A swift flame flashed out, followed by a report.

They were already shooting at him.

Other little lights began to twinkle from different sides of the dock, followed by reports of a gun.

It was a sharp cross-fire; behind him, they were firing, too.