His classic short story "The Open Boat" was inspired by an actual
experience that occurred while he was a war correspondent. His ship
having been sunk, he spent a week with a handful of other survivors in
a lifeboat, some of it in rough weather. Most feel that it was during
this period that he contracted the tuberculosis that lead to his early
death at the age of 28.
[1900, reportedly is last words] Robert - when you come to the hedge - that
we must all go over - it isn't so bad. You feel sleepy - and you don't
care. Just a little dreamy anxiety - which world you're really in -
that's all.
