“To the very worst of deaths ... to a blow on the head with an ax, to a dagger thrust in our back, or merely to be flung into the water....”
He attempted to speak, but again I continued: “There are seven hundred and fifty immigrants below and there are scarcely three hundred of us, counting first-class passengers and the crew.... You have boats which might save two hundred persons and even that is doubtful....”
“Well?”
“Well, what about the immigrants?”
“We should save them before the crew.”
“But after us?”
“Yes, after you.”
“And you fancy that they would let you do it?”
“We have guns with which to keep them in order.”
“Guns ... guns for women and children.”