The shot Davidson let off down the skylight had hit no one; but he ran to the edge of the cabin-top and at once opened fire at the dark shapes rushing about the deck.

These shots were returned, and a rapid fusillade burst out, reports and flashes, Davidson dodging behind a ventilator and pulling the trigger till his revolver clicked, and then throwing it down to take the other in his right hand.
"He had been hearing in the din the Frenchman's infuriated yells '_Tuez-le_! _tuez-le_!' above the fierce cursing of the others.

But though they fired at him they were only thinking of clearing out.

In the flashes of the last shots Davidson saw them scrambling over the rail.
That he had hit more than one he was certain.

Two different voices had cried out in pain.