Why he cried out "Man overboard" (for now I
recognised that it was his voice which gave the alarm), I do not know,
except that he wished his body to be recovered, and to receive burial.
Just here, some one came fumbling at the curtain of my cabin. I heard a
gasp--"Doctor--my head! quick!"
I looked out. As I drew the curtain a worthless lascar sailor fell
fainting into my cabin. He had been drinking a good deal, and the horror
and excitement of the accident had brought on an apoplectic fit. This in
a very hot climate is suddenly fatal. In three minutes, in spite of me,
he was dead. Postponing report of the matter, I went on deck again among
the passengers.
I expected that Mrs. Falchion would be among them, for the news must have
gone to every part of the ship; but she was not there. On the outskirts
of one of the groups, however, I saw Justine Caron. I went to her, and
asked her if Mrs. Falchion had risen. She said that she had not: that she
had been told of the disaster, and had appeared shocked; but had
complained of a headache, and had not risen. I then asked Justine if Mrs.
Falchion had been told who the suicide was, and was answered in the
negative.
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