The coal dust, suspended in the air of the hold, had glowed dull-red at the moment of the explosion. In the twinkling of an eye, in a fraction of a second, I was sprawling full length on the cargo. I picked myself up and scrambled out. It was quick like a rebound. The deck was a wilderness of smashed timber, lying crosswise like trees in a wood after a hurricane. An immense curtain of soiled rags waved gently before me. I thought, the masts will be toppling over directly; and to get out of the way bolted on all fours toward the poop-ladder. The first person I saw was Mahon, with eyes like saucers, his mouth open, and the long white hair standing straight on end round his head like a silver halo. He was just about to go down when the sight of the main deck changing into splinters before his eyes, petrified him on the top step.

Q. Underline two action verbs which contribute to the fast movement of the plot.