Титанік
Chapter 11
”
Thenhappenedoneofthestrangestincidentsofthatstrangehour.IcanonlygiveitinBride’sownwords:
“Phillipsclungon,sending,sending.Heclungonforabouttenminutes,ormaybefifteenminutes,aftertheCaptainreleasedhim.Thewaterwasthencomingintoourcabin.
“WhileheworkedsomethinghappenedIhatetotellabout.IwasbackinmyroomgettingPhillips’smoneyforhim,andasIlookedoutofthedoorIsawastoker,orsomebodyfrombelowdecks,leaningoverPhillipsfrombehind.Phillipswastoobusytonoticewhatthemanwasdoing,buthewasslippingthelifebeltoffPhillips’sback.Hewasabigman,too.
“Asyoucansee,I’mverysmall.Idon’tknowwhatitwasIgotholdof,butIrememberedinaflashthewayPhillipshadclungon;howIhadtofixthatlifebeltinplace,becausehewastoobusytodoit.
“Iknewthatmanfrombelowdeckshadhisownlifebelt,andshouldhaveknownwheretogetit.Isuddenlyfeltapassionnottoletthatmandieadecentsailor’sdeath.Iwishedhemighthavestretchedaropeorwalkedaplank.Ididmyduty.IhopeIfinishedhim,butIdon’tknow.
“Welefthimonthecabinfloorofthewirelessroom,andhewasn’tmoving.”
Phillipsleftthecabin,runningaft,andBrideneversawhimaliveagain.Hehimselfcameoutandfoundthewatercoveringthebridgeandcomingaftovertheboatdeck.
