His salvation was now but a matter of seconds provided that the crew had not drawn in the gangplank between the steamer and the shore.
Suddenly he found himself on the gangplank, at the same time seeing a man advancing toward him with something gleaming in one hand.

It was the mate who had just come out with his knife drawn.
The captain feared that he might make a mistake.
"Toni, it is I," he said in a voice almost breathless because of the effort of his running.
Upon treading the deck of his vessel, he instantly recovered his tranquillity.
Already the shots had ceased and the silence was ominous.

In the distance could be heard whistlings, cries of alarm, the noise of running.

The Carabineers and guards were called and grouped together in order to charge in the dark, marching toward the spot where the shooting had sounded.
"Haul in the gangplank!" ordered Ferragut.
The mate aided three of the hands who had just come up to retire the gangplank hastily.

Then he threatened the dog, to make it cease howling.
Ferragut, near the railing, scanned carefully the darkness of the quay.
It seemed to him that he could see some men carrying another in their arms.