crouching step

[imchongjun]

Hello, teachers.
I have a question about "crouching step" in the following passage.

Mel let his breath out slowly. His fear suddenly swallowed caution. He took a crouching step forward. Then he stopped, frozen. James Connemorra tilted the small pistol resting in his lap. Mel did not know how it came to be there. He had not seen it a moment ago.
("Memory of Mars" from Project Gutenberg)

I understand "crouch" means "to bend your legs", but I don't see the necessity of stepping forward with legs bent under the body in this scene. Or does this expression means "he stepped forward stealthily" or "he stepped forward to spring at the man in front"? I appreciate your help.

[svartnik]

This is figurative language. Let me think. Here comes nothing.
When I was a child I crouched behind a big something in order to avoid people noticing me. A crouched step is taken surreptitiously.

[svartnik]

Any confirmation or refutation?

[bhaisahab]

Any confirmation or refutation?

I agree.

[svartnik]

This is our agreement day, Bhai.

[imchongjun]

Thank you, svartnik and bhaisahab, for your comments. Now I understand the passage in question clearly.