ttle for
them to eat. We now found them to have good lungs and appetites,
however, and a good deal of thrashing around with boots, etc., was
necessary to expel them. We discussed them before we went to sleep
again in the light of a future food supply,--an addition to our
one-quarter ration,--and the opinion was general that should the
seal and gooney desert us the rats would become more valuable. At any
rate, they would thrive on the refuse of the food we had now.

[Illustration: THE CAPTAIN'S TENT]

[Illustration: THE STOREHOUSE, ELEVATED TO AVOID RATS]

The captain returned this morning from his expedition and gives a sad
story of their luck. They had to literally bury themselves to the neck
in the sand and lie under the boat to prevent being drenched by the
rain. During the height of the storm they had one streak of good luck.
They found some companions that the rough sea had induced to seek the
shelter of the lagoon and beach. They were large sea turtles, and he
and his crew turned them on their backs to prevent their escape.
To-day we have them added to our food-supply and they are very
welcome, notwithstanding the sad plight of their captors when they
returned.

We have also added to our fresh water a supply of about fifty gallons
caught in the rainstorm of yesterday, and doled out an extra cupful
to each person.

_Friday, November 4._ The sea is rolling in huge breakers on the reef
to-day, enveloping the wreck in spray, and we are constantly expecting
to see the last of the Saginaw as a hulk. Several pieces can be seen
adrift in the lagoon, and the hurricane deck is probably among them.
The boats were launched and the mainmast towed to the landing, where
it was anchored. It is the intention to have it set up near our camp
and to use it for a lookout station as well as a means of flying a
distress signal in case a passing vessel should be sighted. However,
we do not pin much faith to the idea of rescue from passing ships, for
the presence of these coral reefs constitutes such a menace to
navigation that they are avoided. Vessels generally pass far to the
north or south of them.

_Saturday, November 5._ The gig was carried well up on the beach
to-day and set in a cradle, to be prepared for a voyage to the
Sandwich Islands. It is the intention to raise her sides a few inches,
to construct a light deck over all, and to fit her with two masts and
sails. (Part of the sails were saved with the boat.) In