Maddeningnewsoundswereallabouther，soundsofwaterdashingandchurning，soundsofvoicesbellowingoutcommands，strainingandleapingsoundsoftheengines。Whatwasit——whatwasit？Shemustatleastfindout。Everybodywasgoingmadinthestaterooms，thestewardswererushingabout，tryingtoquietpeople，theirownvoicesshakingandbreakingintocrackednotes。Iftheworsthadhappened，everyonewouldbefightingforlifeinafewminutes。Outondeckshemustgetandfindoutforherselfwhattheworstwas。
Shewasthefirstwomanoutside，thoughthewailsandshrieksswelledbelow，andhalf—dressed，ghastlycreaturestumbledgaspingupthecompanion—way。
\"Whatisit？\"sheheard。\"MyGod！what’shappened？Where’stheCaptain！Arewegoingdown！Theboats！Theboats！\"
Itwasuselesstospeaktotheseamenrushingby。Theydidnotsee，muchlesshear！Shecaughtsightofamanwhocouldnotbeasailor，sincehewasstandingstill。Shemadeherwaytohim，thankfulthatshehadmanagedtostopherteethchattering。
\"Whathashappenedtous？\"shesaid。