at vanishes.
The little hole it has made in the water calls to the whole ocean to
cover it, and the ocean widens out its horizon by ten times all
around, at once pouring in and spreading itself to isolate you ten
times farther from help. . . . Nobody who hasn't been through this
and felt it for himself can understand how promptly and easily--
without help of quenching their thirst in salt water--men go mad, in
open boats, at sea.

"But I believe the shock of loneliness at sunrise was even more
hideous. One is prepared for it, in a way; otherwise it would, I am
sure, be far more hideous. Santa confessed to me, on the second day,
that she had felt--and, she believed, could feel--nothing more
dreadful. As she put it, 'You see, my friend, when the sky lightens
at length, you have assurance of God, and that God is help.
Then, when He sends up no help, but a great staring sun to watch your
misery, hour by hour, God turns to devil and you only long for
night--when, at least, the dew falls.'

"Between sunset and sunrise, however, I was kept fairly busy.
For the _Eurotas_ had scarcely been twenty minutes under water, and
night had barely fallen, before the captain's boat ranged up to us.
She carried a lantern in her bows, and I had found one and was
lighting it after his example.

"'Names on board!' he demanded. We gave them through Grimalson, the
second mate, who was in charge. He said no more for about half a
minute, during which time no doubt he was running through the list in
his head. Then, 'That's all right,' he announced cheerily.
'You'll set watches, Mr. Grimalson, and keep her in easy hail.
The weather will certainly hold fine for a bit, and early to-morrow
I'll be alongside again with instructions. Plumb south our course
lies, for the present. I'll tell you why, later. You have a sail?"

"'Ay, sir,' answered Grimalson.

"'Right. But don't hoist it unless I signal. . . . Yes, yes, not a
draught at present. But if a breeze should get up, don't hoist sail
without instructions. We keep together--that's the main point.
Just pull along easy--I'll set the pace--and keep in my wake, course
due south. Those that aren't pulling will act wise to trust in God
and get some sleep. . . . Is that Doctor Foe there forra'd, with the
lantern?'

"'Ay, sir,' I answered up.

"'Then as soon as you've fixed it, sir, I'll ask you to jump aboard
and along with us for to-night. I've poor Jock Abercrombie here--
fetched h