It may be
observed, that this method of wetting our bodies with salt water is not
advisable, if the misery is protracted beyond three or four days, as,
after that time, the great absorption from the skin that takes place from
the increased heat and fever, makes the fluids become tainted with the
bittern of the salt water; so much so, that the saliva became intolerable
in the mouth. It may likewise be worthy of remark, that those who drank
their own urine died in the sequel of the voyage.

We now neglected weighing our slender allowance of bread, our mouths
becoming so parched, that few attempted to eat; and what was not claimed
was thrown into the general stock. We found old people suffer much more
than those that were young. A particular instance of that we observed in
one young boy, a midshipman, who sold his allowance of water two days for
one allowance of bread. As their sufferings continued, they became very
cross and savage in their temper. In the Captain's boat, one of the
prisoners took to praying, and they gathered round him with much
attention and seeming devotion. But the Captain suspecting the purity of
his doctrines, and unwilling he should make a monopoly of the business,
gave prayers himself. On the 9th, we passed a great many of the Nautilus
fish, the shell of which served us to put our glass of water into; by
which means we had more time granted to dip our finger in it, and wet our
mouths by slow degrees. There were several flocks of birds seen flying in
a direction for the land.

On the 13th, in the morning, we saw the land, and the discoverer was
immediately rewarded with a glass of water; but, as if our cup of misery
was not completely full, it fell a dead calm. The boats now all
separated, every one pushing to make the land. Next day we got pretty
near it; but there was a prodigious surf running. Two of our men slung a
bottle about their necks, jumped overboard, and swam through the surf.
They traversed over a good many miles, till a creek intercepted them;
when they came down to the beach, and made signs to us of their not
having succeeded. We then brought the boat as near the surf as we durst
venture, and picked them up. In running along the coast, about twelve
o'clock, we had the pleasure to see the red yaul get into a creek. She
had hoisted an English jack at her mast-head, that we might observe her
in running down the coast. There was a prodigious surf, and many
dangerous shoals, between us an