Two more steps will take me out upon the deck, and then you'll be free to do as you please." It was the last two steps that troubled him most.

In order to keep the men covered with the pistol he had to bend far down, and he knew that when he could no longer bend far enough the danger would come.
But he solved it by straightening up suddenly and taking two steps at a leap.

He heard shouts and oaths, and the report of a pistol, but the bullet was as futile as the cries.

He slammed down the grating, fastened it in an instant, ran to the low rail and swiftly lowered himself and his pack over it and into the sand.

Then he ran for the bushes.
Robert did not waste his breath.