The mass swung clear of the ladder, the men still clinging to their escaping foe.

They began to drop off, to be brushed off against the sharp edge of the scuttle, to be knocked off by the legs which were now kicking powerfully.

Leach was the last to go, falling sheer back from the top of the scuttle and striking on head and shoulders upon his sprawling mates beneath.

Wolf Larsen and the lantern disappeared, and we were left in darkness..