I followed up in time to see the captain rush at him and knock him down flat on his back.
He did not strike him again: he stood bending over him and speaking angrily but quite low.

I fancy he was asking him why the devil he didn't go and stop the engines, instead of making a row about it on deck.

I heard him say, "Get up! Run! fly!" He swore also.

The engineer slid down the starboard ladder and bolted round the skylight to the engine-room companion which was on the port side.

He moaned as he ran.