"Come on! they're going to lower the boats." She started up to follow him and the boom of the foremast, which the accident had in some way loosened, swung across the deck at the same moment.

Vandover was already out of its path but it struck the young woman squarely across the back.

She dropped in a heap upon the deck, then her body slowly straightened out, stiff and rigid, her eyes rapidly opened and shut, and a great puff of white froth slowly started from her mouth.

Vandover ran forward and lifted her up, but her back was broken; she was already dead.

He rose to his feet exclaiming to himself, "But she was so sure--she _knew_ she was going to be saved," then suddenly fell silent again, gazing wonderingly at the body, disturbed, very thoughtful.
When Vandover finally reached the lifeboat, he found a great crowd gathered there; three people were already in the boat itself.