gain," he said,
when he saw me knock off.

"You want some breakfast first, and so do I," I answered. "We'll then
set to work with a will."

We took some food, which rested and refreshed us, and then commenced the
task we had undertaken.

The wind had again fallen. What there was of it was fair, and the sea
was almost as smooth as a mill-pond. Had it been rough we could
scarcely have attempted the work. We had first to unreeve all the
ropes, and unbend all the sails. We then selected two much stouter
spars than before for fresh masts, got the standing rigging over their
heads, and by means of tackles got them set up to the stumps of the fore
and main masts, next securing them much more effectually we hoped than
the former jury-masts had been, with light spars of different lengths
lashed round them, and additional backstays.

We made such good progress that by night we were almost ready to hoist
the sails, having all the time rested only for a few minutes to obtain
some food and then going on again.

Nature, however, at last gave way, and if we stopped for a moment we
went fast asleep with a rope or marlinespike in our hands.

"It's no use trying to keep awake, Jim," I said.

He, in a sleepy voice, agreed, and having again hoisted the lantern we
went below to get the rest we so much needed.

The next morning I heard as before the pump going. It was still dark,
but Jim had awoke, and this was always his first thought. I joined him,
and we laboured on till there was light enough to enable us to bend
sails. The wind being fair we soon had them hoisted, and I went to the
helm, Jim pulling and hauling to trim them as required.

It must be understood that everything was done in a rough-and-ready
fashion, but it was the best we could do.

Once more the brig glided on towards the west at the rate, as we
supposed, of three or four knots an hour. Jim, having done all that was
required, took my place at the helm while I went below to get some food
for breakfast. As I was unwilling to be off the deck a moment longer
than was necessary, without stopping to light the fire I brought up a
supply of provisions and water to last us for some time, as also some
cloaks and blankets. We agreed that we must content ourselves with cold
water, and ham, and cheese, and bread, and be thankful, remembering how
many poor fellows had been much worse off than we were.

We ate a hearty meal, I feeding Jim while he steered. He di