He makes it too secure, as it happens.

He is a little longer about this than usual, his hands being numbed.

His object drifts up, before he is quite ready for it.

He catches at it, thinks he'll make sure of the contents of the pockets anyhow, in case he should be parted from it, bends right over the stern, and in one of these heavy squalls, or in the cross-swell of two steamers, or in not being quite prepared, or through all or most or some, gets a lurch, overbalances and goes head-foremost overboard.

Now see! He can swim, can this man, and instantly he strikes out.