ce, treacherous, and inhospitable
to strangers.

We might, however, possibly meet with some ship, as we should cross the
course pursued by Spanish vessels sailing from America to the
Philippines. Should we pass through the Caroline group we should have
another long channel to sail over, and must then reach the coast of New
Guinea. If driven thus far south our prospect of escape was small
indeed; though we might obtain food, the people were supposed to be
extremely savage and cruel.

The doctor, to cheer us, said that he had some doubts about that, for
although such was the character of the natives of some parts, there were
others who might treat us kindly should we fall among them, provided we
behaved well and showed that we wished to be friendly.

As we sailed on the sea gradually went down, and at length we were
running with a light breeze over the smooth ocean. Though at first the
warm sun was pleasant it soon became very hot, and while it dried our
clothes increased our thirst.

At the same time the heat destroyed the remaining portion of our fish,
which became so bad that we were obliged to throw it overboard. We had
now only a few raw potatoes and onions, and the little store of biscuits
which the doctor had so wisely husbanded.

The mate told us that we must make up our minds to live on very short
allowance, and be content with a quarter of a biscuit, an onion, and a
small piece of raw potato. To make the latter more wholesome he cut
them and hung them up to dry in the sun. Our food was served out about
noon, and each day we sat eagerly waiting for the hour. Horner would
turn his eyes up and watch the sun till he fancied that it had gained
its greatest altitude, and then cry out to the mate--

"It must be twelve o'clock, now, sir. Won't Dr Cockle look at his
watch and see?"

The doctor was the only person who kept his watch wound up. The mate
had collected all the provisions and placed them in the stern-sheets,
and he didn't think fit to tell us how rapidly they were going. The
quantity he served out was scarcely sufficient to keep body and soul
together, but he acted for the best; there was no doubt about that. We
were all becoming rapidly weaker, and longing for some substantial fare.
Horner at last cried out that if he didn't get it he must die. Two or
three of the other men said much the same thing. As I looked at their
faces I felt afraid that they spoke the truth. Our limbs were swolle