e sake of a few hours' rest. My illness increased
so much, that on the seventh day I thought I must succumb. My limbs were
bathed in a cold perspiration; I was as weak as an infant, and my mouth
felt parched and dry. I saw that I must now either make a great effort
or give up entirely; so I roused myself, and with the assistance of the
cabin-boy gained a seat, and promised to take any and every remedy which
should be recommended. They gave me hot-water gruel with wine and sugar;
but it was not enough to be obliged to force this down, I was further
compelled to swallow small pieces of raw bacon highly peppered, and even
a mouthful of rum. I need not say what strong determination was required
to make me submit to such a regimen. I had, however, but one choice,
either to conquer my repugnance or give myself up a victim to
sea-sickness; so with all patience and resignation I received the
proffered gifts, and found, after a trial of many hours, that I could
manage to retain a small dose. This physicking was continued for two
long, long days, and then I began slowly to recover.

I have here circumstantially described both my illness and its cure,
because so many people are unfortunately victims to the complaint, and
when under its influence cannot summon resolution to take sustenance. I
should advise all my friends not to hold out so long as I did, but to
take food at once, and continue to do so until the system will receive
it.

As I was now convalescent, I tried to recruit my wearied mind by a
diligent study of the mode of life and customs of the mariners of the
northern seas.

Our ship's company consisted of Herr Knudson, Herr Bruge (a merchant whom
we were to land at the Westmann Islands), the captain, the mate, and six
or seven sailors. Our mode of life in the cabin was as follows: in the
morning, at seven o'clock, we took coffee, but whence this coffee came,
heaven knows! I drank it for eleven days, and could never discover any
thing which might serve as a clue in my attempt to discover the country
of its growth. At ten o'clock we had a meal consisting of bread and
butter and cheese, with cold beef or pork, all excellent dishes for those
in health; the second course of this morning meal was "tea-water." In
Scandinavia, by the way, they never say, "I drink _tea_," the word
"water" is always added: "I drink _tea-water_." Our "tea-water" was, if
possible, worse than its predecessor, the incomparable coffee.