on short allowance, which grew
shorter and shorter. As we gazed on each other's faces, we saw how
haggard our shipmates had become, each person scarcely aware of his own
emaciated appearance. At last we had not a drop of water remaining.
Jamaica might still be a week's sail off, under favourable
circumstances. The thirst we now endured was far worse than hunger, in
that climate, with a hot sun burning down on our heads all day. Our
throats got hotter and more parched every hour; we drew in our belts,
and that silenced the cravings of hunger for a time, and we had some few
bits of biscuit, and ham, and chocolate, but nothing we could do could
allay our thirst. We dipped our faces in water, and kept applying our
wet handkerchiefs to our mouths and eyes. We got most relief from
breathing through our wet handkerchiefs; but it was only transient; the
fever within burned as fiercely as ever. We had to work at the oars,
when we could not keep our handkerchiefs wet. McAllister, like a brave
fellow as he was, aroused himself, and endeavoured to encourage us to
persevere. He especially warned the men against drinking salt water,
telling them that it would be downright suicide, and that they might as
well jump overboard and be drowned at once. We were certainly making
way, and every hour lessening our distance to Jamaica. Again our hopes
were raised. We had a few scraps of food to support life for two days
more; but it was the water we wanted. I felt that I could not hold out
another twenty-four hours. I must have water or die. The wind,
however, came fair; we made sail, and ran merrily over the water--at
least the boat did. Our feelings were heavy enough. Still I must say
that we did our best to keep up each other's courage. Again the wind
fell. It shifted. We might be driven back, and lose all the way we had
gained. Dark clouds gathered--the feeling of the air changed. "Get the
sail spread out flat, and the buckets, and cask, and mugs ready, boys,"
cried McAllister, "Open your mouths."

Scarcely had he spoken, when down came the rain. Oh, how delicious were
the cool streams which flowed down our parched throats, and washed the
salt from our faces. As the sail caught it, we let it run off into the
receptacles we had prepared. Mugful after mugful we drained. We filled
our cask and buckets. The rain ceased just as we had done so, and then
it fell a dead calm. But we all felt refreshed and invigorated. Ne