I had got about three-fourths of the length back again, when I heard a cry from aft--a sharp call of "Man overboard!" In a moment I had travelled the intermediate deck, and was at the stern, looking below, where, in the swirling waters, was the head of a man.

With cries of "Man overboard!" I threw two or three buoys after the disappearing head, above which a bare arm thrust itself.

I heard the rush of feet behind me, and in a moment Hungerford and Stone were beside me.

The signal was given for the engines to stop; stewards and lascars came running on deck in response to Hungerford's call, and the first officer now appeared.
Very soon a crew was gathered on the after-deck, about a boat on the port side.
Passengers by this time showed in various stages of dressing--women wringing their hands, men gesticulating.

If there is anything calculated to send a thrill of awe through a crowd, it is the cry of "Man overboard!" And when one looked below, and saw above the drowning head two white arms thrust from the sea, a horrible thing was brought home to each of us.