Титаник

           Upandup,dizzilyhighoutofreachofthedarkwatersintowhichtheyhaddreadedtobeplunged,higherandhigherintotheair,towardsthestars,thesternoftheshiproseslowlyrightoutofthewater,andhungthereforatimethatisestimatedvariouslybetweentwoandfiveminutes;aterribleeternitytothosewhowerestillclinging.Many,thinkingtheendhadcome,jumped;thewaterresoundedwithsplashaftersplashasthebodies,likemiceshakenoutofatrapintoabucket,droppedintothewater.Allwhocoulddosolaidholdofsomething;ropes,stanchions,deck-houses,mahoganydoors,windowframes,anything,andsoclungonwhilethesternofthegiantshipreareditselftowardsthesky.Manyhadnohold,orlosttheholdtheyhad,andthesesliddownthesteepsmoothdecks,aspeopleslidedownawaterchuteintothesea.

           Wedarenotlingerhere,eveninimagination;darenotspeculate;darenotlookclosely,evenwiththemind’seye,atthispoorhumanagony,thislastpitifulscramblefordearlifethattheserenestarsshonedownupon.Wemusteitherturnourfacesaway,orwithdrawtothatsurroundingcirclewheretheboatswerehoveringwiththeirterror-strickenburdens,andseewhattheysaw