time I began to think that I should not survive, even if
the mate and Dr Cockle did. Though they had eaten no more than any of
us, they endured their sufferings better. By this time we were a
scarecrow crew, our hair long, our faces wan, our bodies shrunk, and our
skin tanned to a yellow by the hot sun. At last the men entreated that
they might have the remainder of the biscuit, declaring that they were
ready to die after they had had one good meal if we could not catch any
more flying-fish.

"No, lads," said Mr Griffiths; "I know what is best for you. Your
lives are committed to my charge, and I'll not yield to your wishes.
See, while you have been talking the water has been coming into the
boat. Turn to and bale away."

They obeyed, though with scowling countenances. The mate had both the
guns in the stern-sheets, and he and the doctor looked as if they were
prepared to resist violence. The men knew also that Jim and I would
have sided with the officers. The wind had dropped, and with a gentle
breeze we were gliding on, when suddenly, not ten yards off, a number of
flying-fish rose out of the water and came towards the boat. Some
struck the sail, and others we beat back with our hands.

"I told you not to despair, lads," said Mr Griffiths. "Thank God for
what He has sent us!"

I believe we all did so most heartily. The mate allowed all the fish we
had caught to be eaten. I heard the doctor ask him why he did so, as we
might catch no more till the next day.

"I'll tell you presently," he answered.

We had finished our meal, with just a small piece of biscuit apiece and
a quarter of a pint of water, when the mate stood up, and, shading his
eyes, gazed ahead.

"I would not say so before, lads, for fear of disappointing you, but I
now tell you that we're in sight of land. It is not very large, and may
not be inhabited; it may have no cocoanuts or other vegetables on it,
but it will give us room to stretch our legs, and we may be able to
catch as many fish as we want off it."

"Thank God!" burst from the lips of most of the crew, and I and some
others knelt down to return thanks to Him who had thus far preserved us,
while we prayed that we might be brought in time to a place of safety.

We all now wanted to stand up and see the land. The mate told us to sit
quiet, but he allowed each one of us at a time to rise to our feet and
take a look ahead. A blue irregular line could just be distinguished
ab