top of the bale.

As I thus lay I pictured to myself the crew above me going through their
usual avocations. I fancied that I could even hear their footsteps on
the deck, as they walked about or hauled at the ropes. I was sensible
of a gentle movement of the ship, which instead of tumbling furiously
about, was gliding on, rising and falling slowly to the sea. The air
was purer than that in the part from which I had made my way, and I
could breathe more freely. Had my strength been sufficient I should
have again shouted, as I felt sure I must have been heard, but when I
attempted to raise my voice it failed me altogether. I could scarcely
utter an articulate sound. I tried again and again, but in vain. I was
conscious that I was becoming weaker and weaker.

One thing I was determined on, and that was not to return to the
dreadful hold. I looked back at it with horror, and I shuddered to
think of the amount of rats' flesh I had eaten. Yet in many respects I
was not better off than before. I had not found any food. My position
might be perilous in the extreme, for I could not tell what was around
me. I might, should a sudden breeze come on, be thrown back again to
the bottom of the hold. For some time I could not move, or exert my
mental or physical powers. I again thought that I was going to die; but
I was not really so weak as I supposed, for at length, a desire to live
returning, I raised myself and tried once more to work my outward way.
I could find no outlet, and as my voice had failed me, I was unable to
shout, but I could manage to move about. I was very thirsty, and
notwithstanding my previous resolution not to return to the lower part
of the hold, I thought the wisest thing I could do was to go down and
get a draught of water. I believed that I could easily find my way. I
let myself down off one bale and then another, till I came to the crate.
I crept through it, and curiously enough I felt as if I had returned
home. I walked up to the water-cask as if it had been an old friend,
with delight, and took a draught of water. It was cool and refreshing,
and revived me greatly. I felt hungry; I had hoped never again to eat
another rat, but the keenness of my appetite overcame my scruples, and I
took one out of the bag. I even thought of placing the bag ready to
catch some more. I, however, only ate one of the creatures, though not
without difficulty, in spite of my hunger. I then bathed my face a