Presently we heard the order:
" `All men stand back away from the boats, and all ladies
retire to next deck below'--the smoking-room deck or B deck.
MEN STOOD BACK
"The men all stood away and remained in absolute silence
leaning against the end railings of the deck or pacing slowly
up and down.
"The boats were swung out and lowered from A deck.
When they were to the level of B deck, where all the women
were collected, they got in quietly, with the exception of some
who refused to leave their husbands.
"In some cases they were torn from them and pushed into
the boats, but in many instances they were allowed to remain
because there was no one to insist they should go.
"Looking over the side, one saw boats from aft already in
the water, slipping quietly away into the darkness, and
presently the boats near me were lowered, and with much
creaking as the new ropes slipped through the pulley blocks
down the ninety feet which separated them from the water.
An officer in uniform came up as one boat went down and
shouted, "When you are afloat row round to the companion
ladder and stand by with the other boats for orders.'
" `Aye, aye, sir,' came up the reply; but I don't think
any boat was able to obey the order.
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