t the
utmost. By daylight the wind had fallen sufficiently to enable them to
set all sail, but they agreed that it would have been better to have had
a dead calm, so that they might have pulled the boat in the direction
they wished to go. At present, however, there was too much wind to
enable them to do that.

Tom, who had hitherto bravely kept up his spirits, began to feel far
from happy, although he did his best not to allow his companions to
discover this. He could not help reflecting that in three or four days
their water and provisions must come almost to an end. They had not
enough now, even to keep up their strength, and it might still take two
or three weeks before they could reach an island inhabited by civilised
people. He, however, did his best not to communicate his feelings to
his companions.

"I wish we had gone to Japan," exclaimed Billy Blueblazes. "We should
have been there long ago, and I don't like these short commons--that I
don't."

"I acted for the best," answered Tom. He could not say another word: he
felt more for his companions than himself.

The two Irishmen were looking very woe-begone. All Pat's fun had left
him; he had just strength enough to tend the jib sheets. Tim was
stationed at the foresail, while Jerry stood by the main halyards.

Tom and Desmond, who had never played tricks with their constitutions,
which were remarkably good ones, suffered much less than the rest, but
even they felt themselves growing weaker and weaker. They had each day
taken an observation. According to the chart they were nearly up to
Faralon, but no land appeared in sight. Each day Tom had lessened the
allowance of food and water; he now took stock of what remained. Half a
dozen yams had been discovered, and these, beaten up with some oil, were
all they had to sustain life. It was nauseous at best, but they ate it
greedily. Another night came on; the sea was tolerably smooth, the sky
was overcast, and a thick mist arose, although it still blew very fresh.
The boat was kept under easy sail, close-hauled. Tom had the first
watch with Billy and Pat. It was unusually dark, so that it was with
difficulty that he could see the length of the boat. Before night came
on Tom had again examined the chart.

"I am convinced that by noon--perhaps earlier--to-morrow at latest, we
shall see land," he said.

"I agree with you," exclaimed Desmond. "On the strength of it, I
propose that we have a glass