. The sea was calm. I gazed anxiously around. Not
a speck was visible in the horizon. The sun rose, and its rays beat
down upon us with even greater fury than on the previous day, or, at all
events, I suffered more, as did my companions. They now cried out for
water and food, and I saw them eye me with savage looks. I pretended
not to observe this, and said that I hoped and thought that we might
catch some fish or birds.

"`It will be better for some of us if we do,' muttered one of the men.

"Although I saw several coveys of flying-fish leaping out of the water
in the distance, none came near us. Once I caught sight of the black
fin of a shark gliding by; presently the creature turned, and as it
passed it eyed us, I thought, with an evil look; but while the water was
calm, there was no risk of its getting at us. Had the brute been
smaller, we might have tried to catch it. I remembered having heard of
several people who saved their lives, when nearly starved, by getting
hold of a shark. One of the men stuck out his leg, and when the
creature tried to grab it, a running bowline was slipped round its head,
and it was hauled up. My companions, however, had not the spirits to
make the attempt--indeed, we could not find rope sufficient for the
purpose on our raft.

"The day wore on, and scarcely any of my companions spoke, but lay
stretched at full length on the raft. Others sat with their arms round
their knees, and their heads bent down, groaning and complaining, one or
two swearing fearfully at the terrible fate which had overtaken them,
regardless of that of their late shipmates, hurried into eternity. In
vain I tried to arouse them. Now and then one would look at me with an
ominous glance, and I confess I began to fear, as night drew on, that I
should not be allowed to see another day dawn. I stood up, though it
was with difficulty that I could steady myself, for my strength was
already failing. Anxiously I looked round the horizon. The sky had
hitherto been clear; but, as I cast my eye to the eastward, I observed a
cloud rising rapidly. Another and another followed. They came on
directly towards us, discharging heavy drops of rain. My fear was that
they would empty themselves before they reached us. The looks of my
companions brightened.

"`Now, my friends,' I said, `we must try and catch some of that rain.
Here, spread out this blanket, for if a shower falls but for ten minutes
we shall have w