of that refreshing beverage which he had dreamt
of in his sleep!

"Come, Walter," said the mate, "you may take the helm; and mind you
don't fall overboard. An hour's sleep will set me to rights, and then
you shall have some more rest."

"I will give the old man more than an hour's sleep," thought Walter, as
he got up and took the oar in his hand.

"Keep her before the wind," said Mr Shobbrok, lying down; "and if there
is any change, call me immediately."

Walter steered on as directed, keeping the raft before the wind, and
watching the stars which ever and anon shone out between the passing
clouds. He felt almost sure that the wind had shifted several points,
and that he was now steering much more to the north than at first. It
was very light, and the raft made but little progress. He suspected
that the old mate had purposely allowed him to sleep on till near
daylight; and he determined to return his kindness by not arousing him,
but allowing him to awake of his own accord. Mr Shobbrok, however, was
so accustomed to awake at the hour he intended, that before long he got
up, and smilingly said, "Well, Walter, I hope you are the better for
your rest; I can honestly say that I am. And now, I dare say that you
are ready for breakfast."

Walter confessed that he was; but when he tried to get the salt meat and
dry biscuit down, he could scarcely swallow it. How he longed for a cup
of cold water! A little wine which the mate served out slightly
relieved him, but he soon got thirsty again. They both tried the effect
of wetting their clothes; but that was only a partial relief. When the
sun came out, and its rays struck down with fiery heat on their heads,
they both began to suffer painfully. Wine enabled them to swallow their
food, but it was water they wanted. The wind fell, and the raft lay
rocking about, making no progress. They neither of them felt much
inclined to talk. While Walter took the helm, the mate, with his hammer
and nails, gave a few finishing touches to the raft, and added fresh
lashings to the parts which he thought required to be better secured.

The next night passed away much as the first had done. The mate told
Walter he must keep the first watch. Walter fancied that he should be
able to let the mate have a good long spell of sleep; but he was
mistaken, for in less than a couple of hours the old man got up and
insisted on his lying down; and when he awoke he found that daylight had
r