I lost my head temporarily and dashed frantically about the steerage.

A collision with the table partially knocked the wind from my body and brought me to myself.

I reasoned that a helpless man could start a fire only near to where he lay.
I returned to Wolf Larsen's bunk.

There I encountered Maud.

How long she had been there in that suffocating atmosphere I could not guess.
"Go up on deck!" I commanded peremptorily.
"But, Humphrey--" she began to protest in a queer, husky voice.
"Please! please!" I shouted at her harshly.
She drew away obediently, and then I thought, What if she cannot find the steps?
I started after her, to stop at the foot of the companion-way.
Perhaps she had gone up.