Step by step, by the might of his arms, the whole pack of men striving to drag him back and down, he drew his body up from the floor till he stood erect.

And then, step by step, hand and foot, he slowly struggled up the ladder.
The very last of all, I saw.

For Latimer, having finally gone for a lantern, held it so that its light shone down the scuttle.

Wolf Larsen was nearly to the top, though I could not see him.

All that was visible was the mass of men fastened upon him.