Convinced that the incident had been witnessed by others, he darted into the companion-way and made his way back to the stateroom of the sick passenger.

Through the lightless porthole he listened for the terrifying shout, "Man overboard!" It did not come, but his ear caught the staccato beat of a motor near by, striking up abruptly out of the swish of rushing waters.

In his ignorance, he decided that it was a boat from the ship going to the rescue of the daring deserters, and calmly waited for the engines of the mighty Doraine to cease their rhythmic pulsing.

He fell asleep.
When he awoke, he concluded that he had dreamed the whole thing.

This conclusion was justified when he asked his wretched "bunkie" if he had observed him leaving the room during the night.