Instantly Miss Lacy made a rush for the deck to learn what it meant.

Quick as were her movements, she found the ship was already sinking.

Going aft was like climbing a steep hill, but she saw that one portion was high above water, and she struggled bravely to reach it.

But, so rapidly did the _Quetta_ go down that she had hardly gone forward, when the steamer was swallowed up in the furious waters.
That which followed is beyond description.

In an instant, two hundred human beings were struggling frantically, shrieking in their terror for the help which was nowhere to be found, clutching each other, praying and drowning by the score.
Miss Lacy was caught in this fearful swirl, and was in imminent danger of being dragged down by those around her, who were crazed by the one wild, despairing hope of saving themselves, no matter at what cost.
But she was a powerful swimmer, and retaining her self-command, she shook herself free of several who attempted to cling to her.