The signalman ran hurriedly off to make the semaphore, but before he could cross the plateau a shell burst overhead, and he fell headlong.
The second signalman, at a nod from Cummins, darted out and picked up the paper with the signals on it, and jumped down the side of the hill overlooking the sea.
Dr. Richardson and his sick-berth steward ran forward, bent over the prostrate man, picked him up, and carried him behind the gun-pit out of fire.
Pattison and Glover helped them.
They came back immediately, Glover white as a sheet.
"He is dead, sir," reported Dr. Richardson; "the top of his skull was carried away."
"Cover him up and get him out of sight of the others," said Cummins slowly; "and, Richardson, I must insist on your remaining under cover."
"Very good, sir;" and Dr. Richardson went away to take shelter behind the gun-pit parapet.
Back came the remaining signalman with the replies: "Captain Bannerman will have much pleasure in supporting Commander Cummins, and will engage the two guns which are annoying him ".
Cummins tore it up contemptuously.