The three retreated along the passageway until they reached the ladder leading to the bridge.
"You first, sir!" said Edwards, at the same time firing down the passage.
Jack hung back.
"After you," he replied.
"Don't be a fool now," said Edwards. "Hurry, while I hold them off."
Again he fired at the crowd of German faces down the passage, as did O'Brien.
Jack hesitated no longer and climbed the ladder rapidly.
"You next, O'Brien," said Edwards.
O'Brien sprang to the ladder, but a bullet from a German revolver halted him halfway. He toppled over without a word. Edwards glanced at him quickly once, saw that he was beyond help, and sprang to the ladder himself.
A bullet struck him in the side but it did not stop him. Jack, at the top, lent the man a helping hand, and a moment later Edwards stood beside him on the deck.