However, the work of rescue was begun.

Sailors were aloft on watch, Captain Ascott was on the bridge, sweeping the sea with his glass; order was restored.

But the ship had the feeling of a home from which some familiar inmate had been taken, to return no more.
Children clasped their mothers' hands and said, "Mother, was it the poor quartermaster ?" and men who the day before had got help from the petty officers in the preparation of costumes, said mournfully: "Fife the gunner was one of them." But who was the man first to go overboard--and who was it first gave the alarm?
There were rumours, but no one was sure.

All at once I remembered something peculiar in that cry of "Man overboard!" and it shocked me.

I hurried below, and went to the cabin of Boyd Madras.