The whirr of an engine filled his ears and seemed, as it were, on top of them.

Then there was a crash all but at his side, and next instant a half-smothered groan and a dreadful gasp for breath.
He couldn't speak.

He heard Langton say, "Hit, anyone ?" and then Jenks' "They've got me, skipper," in a muffled whisper, and he noticed that the hard breathing had ceased.

At that he found strength and voice and jumped up.

He bent over Jenks.