It seemed, on the
instant, as if the whole crew were tossed into the water; but some had
successfully clutched the boat's side, and Hungerford hung by a rope with
one hand. In the eddying water, however, about the reversing screw, were
two heads, and farther off was a man struggling. The face of one of the
men near the screw was upturned for a moment; it was that of Stone the
quartermaster.
A cry went up from the passengers, and they swayed forward to the
suspended boat; but Colonel Ryder turned almost savagely upon them. "Keep
quiet!" he said. "Stand back! What can you do? Give the officers a
chance." He knew that there had been a false start, and bad work indeed;
but he also saw that the task of the officers must not be made harder.
His sternness had effect. The excited passengers drew back, and I took
his place in front of them. When the first effort had been made to lower
the boat, I asked the first officer if I could accompany the crew, but he
said no. I could, therefore, do nothing but wait. A change came on the
crowd. It became painfully silent, none speaking save in whispers, and
all watching with anxious faces either the receding heads in the water or
the unfortunate boat's crew.
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