ch Timor. But as this was very uncertain and it was possible that,
after all, we might be obliged to go to Java, I determined to proportion
the allowance so as to make our stock hold out six weeks. I was
apprehensive that this would be ill received, and that it would require
my utmost resolution to enforce it for, small as the quantity was which I
intended to take away for our future good, yet it might appear to my
people like robbing them of life, and some, who were less patient than
their companions, I expected would very ill brook it. However on my
representing the necessity of guarding against delays that might be
occasioned in our voyage by contrary winds, or other causes, and
promising to enlarge upon the allowance as we got on, they cheerfully
agreed to my proposal. It was accordingly settled that every person
should receive one 25th of a pound of bread for breakfast, and the same
quantity for dinner, so that by omitting the proportion for supper, we
had 43 days allowance.

Monday 25.

At noon some noddies came so near to us that one of them was caught by
hand. This bird was about the size of a small pigeon. I divided it with
its entrails into 18 portions, and by a well-known method at sea of Who
shall have this?* it was distributed with the allowance of bread and
water for dinner, and ate up bones and all, with salt water for sauce. I
observed the latitude 13 degrees 32 minutes south; longitude made 35
degrees 19 minutes west; course north 89 degrees west, distance 108
miles.

(*Footnote. One person turns his back on the object that is to be
divided: another then points separately to the portions, and each of them
asking aloud, "Who shall have this?" to which the first answers by naming
somebody. This impartial method of division gives every man an equal
chance of the best share.)

In the evening several boobies flying very near to us we had the good
fortune to catch one of them. This bird is as large as a duck: like the
noddy it has received its name from seamen for suffering itself to be
caught on the masts and yards of ships. They are the most presumptive
proofs of being in the neighbourhood of land of any seafowl we are
acquainted with. I directed the bird to be killed for supper, and the
blood to be given to three of the people who were the most distressed for
want of food. The body, with the entrails, beak, and feet, I divided into
18 shares, and with an allowance of bread, which I made a merit of
gra