"All hands on deck, and make it quick."
Doors were opening all along the corridor now and people, some fully dressed and others only half clothed, were rushing toward the stairway.
"Better put on life preservers," Bob yelled.
Some turned back at the suggestion while others in a state of frenzy rushed along the corridor intent only on getting to the upper deck.
"Why doesn't she hurry?" Jack asked impatiently as he glanced both ways.
"I'm ready."
The door was pushed open and the boys stepped in. The woman, or rather girl, for she could not have been more than twenty, was now fully dressed and, reaching beneath the bunk, Bob dragged out a life preserver and, an instant later, had it strapped securely about her.
"It's so brave and kind of you to wait for me," she whispered.
"Got a bag?" Bob asked.
"All my valuables are in this little bag," she replied picking up a small leather bag from the bunk. "I suppose I'll have to leave my trunk here," she sighed.