"Don't lose your nerve whatever happens.

I am close behind you." "I am quite safe," she gasped.
Turning, and clinging on with one hand, he drew his revolver and fired at the pair beneath, who could now faintly discern them, and were almost within reach of the ladder.

The shooting made them halt.

He did not know or care if they were hit.

To frighten them was sufficient.
Several others were running across the sands to the cave, attracted by the noise and the cries of the foremost pursuers.
Then he gave a steady pull to the cord.