ast, and got a sail ready for hoisting. As the raft was small for
supporting so many people, great care was necessary in balancing
ourselves on it. Mr Noalles, who was evidently suffering greatly, and
three of the men who were most injured, were placed on the platform in
the centre. The rest of us ranged ourselves round them, Kiddle steering
with a spar, which we had rigged as a rudder. There was very little
wind; what there was, was blowing in the direction of the low land of
Sumatra, which we calculated to be about four leagues off. Mr Noalles
told us that some fifteen or twenty leagues to the north of it was a
Dutch settlement. If we could reach it, we might there obtain
assistance. By this time Pember had roused up a little, and was able to
assume the command of our frail craft, for when he had his proper wits
about him he was a very good seaman. Noalles, meantime, was getting
worse and worse. It was nearly two hours after noon before our task was
accomplished. We had picked up everything we could find floating about
the wreck, but not a particle of food appeared, nor did a cask of water
pass near us. What would we not have given for that. All this time the
sun, in burning splendour, had been beating down upon our unprotected
heads, for most of us had lost our hats. I secured a handkerchief round
my head, and Esse did the same.

"Are you all ready, lads?" asked Pember. "Ay! Ay! Sir," was the
answer. "Then shove off, and I pray we may reach yonder coast before
dark." We glided slowly on. For some time we appeared to be
approaching the land. Then, from the way we moved, we discovered that a
current was running, and was carrying us to the southward, rather away
from than nearer the point we hoped to reach. Mr Noalles, who was just
able to sit up, saw what was happening.

"I thought so," he muttered. "With so great a wretch as I am on board,
there is little chance of the raft reaching the shore. If the people
were wise they would heave me overboard; but, oh! I am not fit to die.
I dare not face death and that which is to come after it!"

These words were said in so low a tone that I alone, who was sitting
close to him, could understand him.

"Die! Did I say? And yet how often have I faced death, without a
moment's thought of the future, or a grain of fear!"

"What makes you then think so much about it now, sir?" I asked. "I
hope we shall get on shore, and that you will recover." I was an