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The Tidal Wave and Other Stories by Ethel M. (Ethel May) Dell
page 145 of 340 (42%)
confusion of voices.

A man ran quickly by her to the bridge, where she could dimly discern
the first-officer on watch. She sprang up, dreading she knew not what,
and at the same instant Charlie--she knew it was he by the flutter of
the ridiculous garb he wore--leapt off the bridge like a hurricane, and
tore past her.

He was gone in a second, almost before she had had time to realise his
flying presence; and the next moment passengers were streaming up on
deck, asking questions, uttering surmises, on the verge of panic, yet
trying to ignore the anxiety that tugged at their resolution.

Molly joined the crowd. She was frightened too, badly frightened; but it
is always better to face fear in company. So at least says human
instinct.

The passengers collected in a restless mass on the upper deck. The
captain was seen going swiftly to the bridge. After a brief word with
him the first-officer came down to them. He was a pleasant,
easy-tempered man, and did not appear in the least dismayed.

"It's all right," he said, raising his voice. "Please don't be alarmed!
There has been a little accident in the engine-room. The captain hopes
you won't let it interfere with your dancing."

He placed himself in the thick of the strangely dressed crowd. His
clean-shaven face was perfectly unconcerned.

"I'll come and join you, if I may," he said. "The captain allows me to
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