He disappeared, and soon the whole ship knew it.
I went to the captain, gave him the letter, and told him only what was necessary to tell.

He was on the bridge, and was occupied with giving directions, so he asked me the substance of the letter, and handed it back to me, requesting me to make a copy of it soon and leave it in his cabin.

I then took all the papers to my cabin, and locked them up.

I give here the substance of the letter which was to be made public: Because you know how much I have suffered physically while on board this ship, and because you have been kind to me, I wish, through you, to say my last word to the world: though, indeed, this may seem a strange form for gratitude to take.

Dying men, however, make few apologies, and I shall make none.