The Vizier of the Two-Horned Alexander | Page 2

the sinking vessel, I was not a coward, and I could
not thrust myself into a boat when there were women and children
behind me who had not yet been provided with places. There were men
who did this, and several times I felt inclined to knock one of the
poltroons overboard. The deck was well lighted, the steamer was
settling slowly, and there was no excuse for the dastardly proceedings
which were going on about me.
It was not long, however, before almost all of the passengers were
safely embarked, and I was preparing to get into a boat which was
nearly filled with the officers and crew, when I was touched on the
shoulder, and turning, I saw a gentleman whose acquaintance I had
made soon after the steamer had left Havre. His name was Crowder. He
was a middle-aged man, a New-Yorker, intelligent and of a social
disposition, and I had found him a very pleasant companion. To my
amazement, I perceived that he was smoking a cigar.
"If I were you," said he, "I would not go in that boat. It is horribly
crowded, and the captain and second officer have yet to find places in
it."
"That's all the more reason," said I, "why we should hurry. I am not
going to push myself ahead of women and children, but I've just as
much right to be saved as the captain has, and if there are any vacant
places, let us get them as soon as possible."
Crowder now put his hand on my shoulder as if to restrain me.
"Safety!" said he. "You needn't trouble yourself about safety. You are
just as safe where you are as you could possibly be in one of those
boats. If they are not picked up soon,--and they may float about for
days,--their sufferings and discomforts will be very great. There is a
shameful want of accommodation in the way of boats."
"But, my dear sir," said I, "I can't stop here to talk about that. They are
calling for the captain now."
"Oh, he's in no hurry," said my companion. "He's collecting his papers,
I suppose, and he knows his vessel will not sink under him while he is

doing it. I'm not going in that boat; I haven't the least idea of such a
thing. It will be odiously crowded, and I assure you, sir, that if the sea
should be rough that boat will be dangerous. Even now she is
overloaded."
I looked at the man in amazement. He had spoken earnestly, but he was
as calm as if we were standing on a sidewalk, and he endeavoring to
dissuade me from boarding an overcrowded street-car. Before I could
say anything he spoke again:
"I am going to remain on this ship. She is a hundred times safer than
any of those boats. I have had a great deal of experience in regard to
vessels and ocean navigation, and it will be a long time before this
vessel sinks, if she ever sinks of her own accord. She's just as likely to
float as that derelict we ran into. The steam is nearly out of her boilers
by this time, and nothing is likely to happen to her. I wish you would
stay with me. Here we will be safe, with plenty of room, and plenty to
eat and drink. When it is daylight we will hoist a flag of distress, which
will be much more likely to be seen than anything that can flutter from
those little boats. If you have noticed, sir, the inclination of this deck is
not greater now than it was half an hour ago. That proves that our bow
has settled down about as far as it is going. I think it likely that the
water has entered only a few of the forward compartments."
The man spoke so confidently that his words made an impression upon
me. I knew that it very often happens that a wreck floats for a long time,
and the boat from which the men were now frantically shouting for the
captain would certainly be dangerously crowded.
"Stay with me," said Mr. Crowder, "and I assure you, with as much
reason as any man can assure any other man of anything in this world,
that you will be perfectly safe. This steamer is not going to sink."
There were rapid footsteps, and I saw the captain and his second officer
approaching.
"Step back here," said Mr. Crowder, pulling me by the coat. "Don't let
them see us. They may drag us on board that confounded boat. Keep

quiet, sir, and let them get off. They think they are the last on board."
Involuntarily I obeyed him, and we stood in the shadow of the great
funnel.