“Keep cool, everybody,” he was shouting; “there is no danger.”—Page [42]
The fellow shoved two women, wedged in the throng, aside, and addressed himself to Jack, who stood at the head of the companionway.
“Let me pass, you!” he bellowed, seemingly mad with fear. “I want a place in the first boat. I——”
Jack felt Bill slip a revolver into his pocket. But he did not remove the weapon, the time had not yet come for its use.
“Stop that noise,” he told the yellow-mustached man bluntly. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he went on, “there’s no danger. We merely grazed the berg. Thank heaven the ship was swung in time to save her.”
“Don’t believe him,” shrieked the terrified man. “Stand to one side there. The boats!”
He made a rush for Jack and struck heavily at the young wireless operator. But before his blow landed, Jack had crouched and the next instant his fist shot out like a piston rod. The fellow staggered back, but could not fall because of the pressure of humanity behind him.
It is difficult to say what might have happened had there not been cooler heads in the crowd. Reassured by Jack’s cool manner, these began quieting the more timid ones. Just then, too, Captain Rollok and some of his officers appeared. All carried drawn revolvers, for a disorganized rush on the boats would have meant that scores of women would have been trampled and many lives lost in the confusion.
The captain’s firm, stern tones completed the work Jack and Bill had begun. He assured the passengers that an examination had been made and that no damage had been done. He also promised thereafter to run at a more moderate speed. Gradually, the excited crowd calmed down, and some sought their cabins. The greater part, however, elected to remain on deck throughout the night.