in.

The night passed away without any disturbance. As soon as it was
daylight the captain ordered me to go aloft and take a look round. I
obeyed, though I felt so weak that I could scarcely climb the rigging.
I glanced round the horizon, but no vessel could I see. A mist still
hung over the water.

I was just about to come down when the sun rose, and at the same moment
I made out over our quarter, away to the southward, a white sail, on
which his rays were cast, standing on the same course that we were.

"Sail ho!" I shouted in a joyful tone, and pointed out in the direction
in which I saw her.

The captain, immediately I came down, ordered me to rouse up all hands,
and every sail the ship could carry being set, we edged down to the
stranger, making a signal that we desired to speak her. She was an
English barque, also bound for the Cape.

As we got close together, a boat being lowered, Mr Griffiths and I went
on board and stated our wants. Her captain at once agreed to supply us
with everything he could spare, and we soon had our boat loaded with a
cask of bread, another of beef, and several other articles, and in
addition a nautical almanack, for we had run out our last one within a
week before this. We had a second trip to make, with casks to fill with
water. As may be supposed, we had quenched our own thirst on our first
visit. When we again got back we found the cook and two hands assisting
him busily employed in preparing breakfast, and a right hearty one we
had.

We kept our charitable friends in sight till we reached the Cape, by
which time we had expended all the provisions with which they had
furnished us.

In a few days, from the abundance of fresh meat and vegetables which we
obtained from the shore, our health and strength returned, and I for one
was eager once more to put to sea, that Jack and I might the sooner
reach home. We had got so far on our way that it seemed to me as if we
were almost there. We were, however, detained for several days
refitting and provisioning the ship.

Once more, however, the men showed their mutinous disposition, for when
they were ordered to heave up the anchor they refused to man the
windlass, on the plea that they had had no liberty on shore. Though
this was the case, there having been work for all hands on board, there
was no real excuse for their conduct, as they were amply supplied with
provisions, and had not been really over-worked.

"We shall