rk spots, which
might have been the boats and rafts, or pieces of the wreck.

"The day passed by and there was no abatement of the gale. The Lascars
had again taken the oars, but as night again approached, worn out with
hunger and fatigue, they refused to pull any longer, and the gentleman
offering to steer, the three other men and I took it by turns to labour
at the oars.

"Thus the second night passed by. I had begun to feel faint and hungry,
and to experience the pangs of thirst; and, judging by my own
sensations, I felt sure that, should we not fall in with a ship during
the coming day, some of my companions would give way. Another morning
dawned, but no sail was in sight. One of the Lascars lay dead in the
bows, the rest were stretched out under the thwarts, unable even to
continue baling, and apparently no longer caring what might become of
them. The gentleman, though the most delicate-looking of us all, held
out the best. His eye was constantly ranging over the ocean in search
of the raft or boat which might contain those he loved best on earth. I
had great difficulty in persuading him to let me take the helm again
while he got a little sleep.

"As the day drew on the gale moderated, and the sea went down. So weak
were the three other Englishmen by this time, that I believe we should
not otherwise have been able to prevent the boat being swamped. The
Lascars were in a worse state. Two more died, and as their countrymen
would not heave them overboard, we were obliged to do so. Eagerly we
looked out for a sail, but none appeared. Before the next morning broke
all the Lascars were dead, and I saw that one of my messmates was likely
soon to follow them. Another, however, died before him, but ere the sun
rose high in the heavens, he was gone.

"Besides the gentleman, only I and one man remained, the latter indeed
was near his last gasp. I will not tell you what dreadful thoughts
passed through my mind. Just then, as I was stooping down, I put my
hand under the after seat. There, stowed away, was a large lump of
grease. I felt round farther, and drew forth two bones with a
considerable amount of meat on them. One of the dogs, I have no doubt,
had made it his hiding place. The selfish thought came across me, that
had the Lascars and the other two men been alive, this food would have
gone very little way, but now it might support the existence of my two
companions and me for another day or two. Ea