The sharp crack of a rifle came from the vicinity of the old quarry.

He saw the flash among the trees.
Almost simultaneously a bright light leapt from the opposite ledge, illumining the vicinity like a meteor.

It lit up the rock, showed Iris just vanishing into the safety of the ledge, and revealed Jenks and the Dyaks to each other.

There followed instantly a tremendous explosion that shook earth and air, dislodging every loose stone in the south-west pile of rocks, hurling from the plateau some of its occupants, and wounding the remainder with a shower of lead and debris.
The island birds, long since driven to the remote trees, clamored in raucous peal, and from the Dyaks came yells of fright or anguish.
The sailor, unmolested further, reached the ledge to find Iris prostrate where she had fallen, dead or unconscious, he knew not which.
He felt his face become grey in the darkness.

With a fierce tug he hauled the ladder well away from the ground and sank to his knees beside her.
He took her into his arms.