n,
and we felt so stiff that we were scarcely able to move.

"Trust in God, lads," said the mate, to try and cheer us up.

We were no longer inclined to spin yarns or sing songs, and only now and
then exchanged a few words with each other. Not long after this, as I
was gazing over the side, I saw a movement in the water, and presently a
score of flying-fish rose from the sea, their wings glittering in the
sunlight, and about a dozen pitched into the boat. Oh, how eagerly we
all stooped down to seize them! Just then, as I was looking out,
expecting some more to come, I saw several dolphins, which had no doubt
been pursuing the flying-fish, and now came close up to the boat,
looking out for them.

Notwithstanding our hunger the doctor advised that we should split the
fish and hang them up in the sun to dry. We were, however, too hungry
to do this, but the mate insisted that all should be handed to him. He
then served out to each of us half a fish, which we eagerly devoured.
This meal, scanty as it was, somewhat restored our strength.

"I told you to trust in God, lads," said the mate. "See He has sent us
these fish, and He'll send us more, never fear."

Before long I saw, a hundred yards off, another flight of flying-fish
rise from the sea, and come darting through the air like masses of
silver, when, to our joy, a number struck the sail and dropped into the
bottom of the boat. The mate immediately served out the remainder of
those which had at first been sent to us. This made the men cheer up
more than ever, as we expected that, now we had got into the tropics, we
should have an ample supply every day.

We saw large quantities of dolphins, bonitos, and albicores, which
pursue the flying-fish, and induce them to seek for safety in flight;
but none of the larger fish came near enough to enable us to catch them,
though Brown, harpoon in hand, stood up as long as he could keep his
feet, in the expectation of striking one. It was very tantalising to
see them sporting round us, and yet not to be able to get one on board.
We had, however, a sufficient number of flying-fish to give us a good
meal each for that and the next day. The mate proposed drying some in
the sun and reserving them in case no more should come aboard, but
nearly all hands cried out that we were certain to have some more sent
us, and begged so hard to have the fish while they were good that the
mate yielded to their wishes.

During the night