I did not want to help to make a fuss and confusion, but I thought it would be a good deal better for us to get the life-preservers now, than to wait.

If we didn't need them, no harm would be done.

Some one had turned up several lamps in the saloon, so that we could see better.

But no one stopped to look much.

Everybody, ladies and all,--there were not many of these,--hurried on deck.