The next instant Vandover saw him on the bridge, hatless, without his vest or his coat, just as he had sprung from his berth.

From time to time he shouted his orders, leaning over the rail, gesturing with his arm.

The crew ran about, carrying out his directions, jostling the men out of the way, knocking over women and children, speaking to no one, intent only upon their work.
In a few moments the deck steward and one of the officers appeared amid the crowd of passengers.

They were very calm, and at every instant shouted, "There is no danger; every one go back to his berth; clear the deck, please; no danger, gentlemen; everybody be quiet; go back to your berths!" The steward even came up to Vandover and pulled at the straps of his life-preserver, exclaiming, "Take this off! There is no danger; you're only exciting the other passengers.

Come on, take it off and go back to your berth." Vandover obeyed him, slowly loosening the buckles, looking around him, bewildered, but still holding the preserver in his hands.
Best of all, however, was the example of a huge old fellow wearing the cap and clothes of a boatswain's mate of a United States battleship; he seemed to dominate the excited throng in a moment, going about from group to group, quieting them all, spreading a feeling of confidence and courage throughout the whole ship.