they pulled the nereide at last onto a small reef , near the otter ; and there with temeraire 's claws and the tearing of the coral managed at last to carve away the looped serpent , already dead and slick with blood ; demane was already rescuing men from the hatchway , standing in his straps to help them crawl out onto kulingile 's back while the dragon clung on to the railing , his sides belled out hugely to support him .