Kear，whowaslyingprostrateatherfeet，askedwhatwethoughtoughttobedone。
\"Wecandonothingbutstaywhereweare，\"Ireplied。
\"No，\"saidAndre，\"thisisourbestrefuge;Ihopeyouarenotafraid。\"
\"Notformyself，\"saidtheyounggirlquietly，\"onlyforthosetowhomlifeisprecious。\"
Ataquartertoeightweheardtheboatswaincallingtothesailorsinthebows。
\"Ay，ay，sir，\"saidoneofthemen——O’Ready，Ithink。
\"Where’sthewhale—boat？\"shoutedtheboatswaininaloudvoice。
\"Idon’tknow，sir。Notwithus，\"wasthereply。
\"She’sgoneadrift，then！\"
Andsureenoughthewhale—boatwasnolongerhangingfromthebowsprit;andinamomentthediscoverywasmadethatMr。Kear，SilasHuntly，andthreesailors，——aScotch—
manandtwoEnglishmen，——weremissing。AfraidthattheChancellorwouldfounderbeforethecompletionoftheraft，KearandHuntlyhadplottedtogethertoeffecttheirescape，andhadbribedthethreesailorstoseizetheonlyremainingboat。
This，then，wastheblackspeckthatIhadseenduringthenight。Themiserablehusbandhaddesertedhiswife，thefaithlesscaptainhadabandonedtheshipthathadoncebeenunderhiscommand。
\"Therearefivesaved，then，\"saidtheboatswain。
\"Faith，anit’sfivelostye’llbemaning，\"saidO’Ready;
andthestateoftheseafullyjustifiedhisopinion。
Thecrewwerefuriouswhentheyheardofthesurrepti—
tiousflight，andloadedthefugitiveswithalltheinvectivestheycouldlaytheirtonguesto。Soenragedweretheyatthedastardlytrickofwhichtheyhadbeenmadethedupes，thatifchanceshouldbringthedesertersagainonboardI
shouldbesorrytoanswerfortheconsequences。
Inaccordancewithmyadvice，Mrs。Kearhasnotbeenin—
formedofherhusband’sdisappearance。Theunhappyladyiswastingawaywithafeverforwhichwearepowerlesstosupplyaremedy，forthemedicine—chestwaslostwhentheshipbegantosink。Nevertheless，Idonotthinkwehaveanythingtoregretonthatscore，feeling，asIdo，thatinacaselikeMrs。Kear’s，drugswouldbeofnoavail。
CHAPTERXXVIII
MRS。KEARSUCCUMBSTOFEVER
DECEMBER6continued。——TheChancellornolongermain—
tainedherequilibrium;wefeltthatshewasgraduallygoingdown，andherhullwasprobablybreakingup。Themain—
topwasalreadyonlytenfeetabovewater，whilethebow—
sprit，withtheexceptionoftheextremeend，thatroseobliquelyfromthewaves，wasentirelycovered。
TheChancellor’slastday，wefelt，hadcome。
Fortunatelytheraftwasallbutfinished，andunlessCurtispreferredtowaittillmorning，weshouldbeabletoembarkintheevening。
Theraftisaverysolidstructure。Thesparsthatformtheframeworkarecrossedoneaboveanotherandlashedtogetherwithstoutropes，sothatthewholepilerisesacoupleoffeetabovethewater。Theupperplatformiscon—
structedfromtheplanksthatwerebrokenfromtheship’ssidesbytheviolenceofthewaves，andwhichhadnotdriftedaway。Theafternoonhasbeenemployedinchargingtheraftwithsuchprovisions，sails，tools，andinstrumentsaswehavebeenabletosave。
AndhowcanIattempttogiveanyideaofthefeelingswithwhich，oneandall，wenowcontemplatedthefatebe—
foreus？Formyownpart，Iwaspossessedratherbyabenumbedindifferencethanbyanysenseofgenuineresigna—
tion。M。Letourneurwasentirelyabsorbedinhisson，who，inhisturn，thoughtonlyofhisfather，atthesametimeexhibitingaChristianfortitude，whichwasshownbynooneelseofthepartyexceptMissHerbey，whofacedherdangerwiththesamebravecomposure。Incredibleasitmayseem，Falstenremainedthesameasever，occupyinghimselfwithwritingdownfiguresandmemorandainhispocketbook。
Mrs。Kear，inspiteofallthatMissHerbeycoulddoforher，wasevidentlydying。
Withregardtothesailors，twoorthreeofthemwerecalmenough，buttheresthadwell—nighlosttheirwits。
Someofthemoreill—disposedamongthemseemedinclinedtorunintoexcesses;andtheirconduct，underthebadin—
fluenceofOwenandJynxstrop，madeitdoubtfulwhethertheywouldsubmittocontrolwhenoncewewerelimitedtothenarrowdimensionsoftheraft。LieutenantWalter，al—
thoughhiscourageneverfailedhim，waswornoutwithbodilyfatigue，andobligedtogiveupallactivelabor;butCurtisandtheboatswainwereresolute，energeticandfirmasever。Toborrowanexpressionfromthelanguageofmetallurgicart，theyweremen\"atthehighestdegreeofhardness。\"
Atfiveo’clockoneofourcompanionsinmisfortunewasreleasedfromhersufferings。Mrs。Kear，afteramostdis—
tressingillness，throughwhichheryoungcompaniontendedherwiththemostdevotedcare，hasbreathedherlast。A
fewdeepsighsandallwasover，andIdoubtwhetherthesuffererwaseverconsciousoftheperilofhersituation。
Thenightpassedonwithoutfurtherincident。TowardmorningItouchedthedeadwoman’shand，anditwascoldandstiff。Thecorpsecouldnotremainanylongeronthemain—top，andafterMissHerbeyandIhadcarefullywrappedthegarmentsaboutit，withafewshortprayersthebodyofthefirstvictimofourmiserieswascommittedtothedeep。
AstheseaclosedoverthebodyIheardoneofthemenintheshroudssay：
\"Theregoesacarcassthatweshallbesorrywehavethrownaway！\"
Ilookedroundsharply。ItwasOwenwhohadspoken。
Buthorribleaswerehiswords，theconvictionwasforceduponmymindthatthedaycouldnotbefardistantwhenwemustwantforfood。
CHAPTERXXIX
WEEMBARKONTHERAFT
DECEMBER7。——Theshipwassinkingrapidly;thewaterhadrisentothefore—top;thepoopandforecastlewerecompletelysubmerged;thetopofthebowsprithaddisap—
peared，andonlythethreemast—topsprojectedfromthewaves。
Butallwasreadyontheraft;anerectionhadbeenmadeontheforetoholdamast，whichwassupportedbyshroudsfastenedtothesidesoftheplatform;thismastcarriedalargeroyal。
Perhaps，afterall，thesefewfrailplankswillcarryustotheshorewhichtheChancellorhasfailedtoreach;atanyrate，wecannotyetresignallhope。
Wewerejustonthepointofembarkingat7A。M。whentheChancellorallatoncebegantosinksorapidlythatthecarpenterandmenwhowereontheraftwereobligedwithallspeedtocuttheropesthatsecuredittothevessel，topre—
ventitfrombeingswallowedupintheeddyingwaters。
Anxiety，themostintense，tookpossessionofusall。Attheverymomentwhentheshipwasdescendingintothefathomlessabyss，theraft，ouronlyhopeofsafety，wasdriftingoffbeforeoureyes。Twoofthesailorsandanapprentice，besidethemselveswithterror，threwthemselvesheadlongintothesea;butitwasevidentfromtheveryfirsttheywerequitepowerlesstocombatthewindsandwaves。Escapewasimpossible;theycouldneitherreachtheraftnorreturntotheship。Curtistiedaroperoundhiswaistandtriedtoswimtotheirassistance;butlongbe—
forehecouldreachthem，theunfortunatemen，afteravainstruggleforlife，sankbelowthewavesandwereseennomore。Curtis，bruisedandbeatenwiththesurfthatragedaboutthemast—heads，washauledbacktotheship。
Meantime，Dowlasandhismen，bymeansofsomesparswhichtheyusedasoars，wereexertingthemselvestobringbacktheraft，whichhaddriftedabouttwocables’—lengthsaway;but，inspiteofalltheirefforts，itwasfullyanhour——
anhourwhichseemedtous，waitingaswewerewiththewateruptothelevelofthetopmasts，likeaneternity——be—
foretheysucceededinbringingtheraftalongside，andlash—
ingitonceagaintotheChancellor’smain—mast。
Notamomentwasthentobelost。Thewaveswereeddyinglikeawhirlpoolaroundthesubmergedvessel，andnumbersofenormousairbubbleswererisingtothesurfaceofthewater。
Thetimewascome。AtCurtis’sword，\"Embark！\"weallhurriedtotheraft。Andre，whoinsisteduponseeingMissHerbeygofirst，washelpedsafelyontotheplatform，wherehisfatherimmediatelyjoinedhim。InaveryfewminutesallexceptCurtisandoldO’ReadyhadlefttheChancellor。
Curtisremainedstandingonthemain—top，deemingitnotonlyhisduty，buthisright，tobethelasttoleavethevesselhehadlovedsowell，andthelossofwhichhesomuchde—
plored。
\"Nowthen，oldfellow，offofthis！\"criedthecaptaintotheoldIrishman，whodidnotmove。
\"Andisitquitesureyearethatshe’ssinkin’？\"hesaid。
\"Ay，ay！sureenough，myman;andyou’dbetterlooksharp。\"
\"Faith，then，andIthinkIwill;\"andnotamomenttoosoon（forthewaterwasuptohiswaist）hejumpedontotheraft。
Havingcastonelast，lingeringlookaroundhim，Curtisthenlefttheship;theropewascut，andwewentslowlyadrift。
AlleyeswerefixeduponthespotwheretheChancellorlayfoundering。Thetopofthemizzenwasthefirsttodis—
appear，thenfollowedthemain—top;andsoon，ofwhathadbeenanoblevessel，notavestigewastobeseen。
CHAPTERXXX
OURSITUATIONCRITICAL
WILLthisfrailboat，fortyfeetbytwenty，bearusinsafety？Sinkitcannot;thematerialofwhichitiscom—
posedisofakindthatmustsurmountthewaves。Butitisquestionablewhetheritwillholdtogether。Thecordsthatbinditwillhaveatremendousstraintobearinresist—
ingtheviolenceofthesea。Themostsanguineamongustremblestofacethefuture;themostconfidentdarestothinkonlyofthepresent。Afterthemanifoldperilsofthelastseventy—twodays’voyageallaretooagitatedtolookforwardwithoutdismaytowhatinallhumanprobabilitymustbeatimeofthedirestdistress。
Vainasthetaskmayseem，Iwillnotpauseinmyworkofregisteringtheeventsofourdrama，assceneafterscenetheyareunfoldedbeforeoureyes。
Ofthetwenty—eightpersonswholeftCharlestonintheChancellor，onlyeighteenarelefttohuddletogetheruponthisnarrowraft;thisnumberincludesthefivepassengers，namely，M。Letourneur，Andre，MissHerbey，Falsten，andmyself;theship’sofficers，CaptainCurtis，LieutenantWal—
ter，theboatswain，Hobartthesteward，Jynxstropthecook，andDowlasthecarpenter;andsevensailors，Austin，Owen，Wilson，O’Ready，Burke，Sandon，andFlaypole。
Sucharethepassengersontheraft;itisbutabrieftasktoenumeratetheirresources。
Thegreaterpartoftheprovisionsinthestore—roomweredestroyedatthetimewhentheship’sdeckwassubmerged，andthesmallquantitythatCurtishasbeenabletosavewillbeveryinadequatetosupplythewantsofeighteenpeople，whotooprobablyhavemanydaystowaiteretheysighteitherlandorapassingvessel。Onecaskofbiscuit，an—
otherofpreservedmeat，asmallkegofbrandy，andtwobarrelsofwatercompleteourstore，sothattheutmostfrugalityinthedistributionofourdailyrationsbecomesabsolutelynecessary。
Ofspareclotheswehavepositivelynone;afewsailswillserveforshelterbyday，andcoveringbynight。
Dowlashashiscarpenter’stools，wehaveeachapocket—
knife，andO’Readyanoldtinpot，ofwhichhetakesthemosttendercare;inadditiontothese，weareinpossessionofasextant，acompass，achart，andametaltea—kettle，everythingelsethatwasplacedondeckinreadinessforthefirstrafthavingbeenlostinthepartialsubmersionofthevessel。
Suchthenisoursituation;criticalindeed，butafterallperhapsnotdesperate。Wehaveonegreatfear;somethereareamonguswhosecourage，moralaswellasphysical，maygiveway，andoverfailingspiritssuchasthesewemayhavenocontrol。
CHAPTERXXXI
FIRSTDAYONTHERAFT
DECEMBER7continued。——Ourfirstdayontherafthaspassedwithoutanyspecialincident。Ateighto’clockthismorningCurtisaskedourattentionforamoment。
\"Myfriends，\"hesaid，\"listentome。Hereonthisraft，justaswhenwewereonboardtheChancellor，Iconsidermyselfyourcaptain;andasyourcaptain，Iexpectthatallofyouwillstrictlyobeymyorders。Letmebegofyou，oneandall，tothinksolelyofourcommonwelfare;letusworkwithoneheartandwithonesoul，andmayHeavenprotectus！\"
Afterdeliveringthesefewwordswithanemotionthatevidencedtheirearnestness，thecaptainconsultedhiscom—
pass，andfoundthatthefresheningbreezewasblowingfromthenorth。Thiswasfortunateforus，andnotimewastobelostintakingadvantageofittospeedusonourdubiousway。Dowlaswasoccupiedinfixingthemastintothesocketthathadalreadybeenpreparedforitsreception，andinordertosupportitmorefirmlyheplacedspursofwood，formingarchedbuttresses，oneitherside。Whilehewasthusemployedtheboatswainandtheotherseamenwerestretchingthelargeroyalsailontheyardthathadbeenreservedforthatpurpose。
Byhalf—pastninethemastwashoisted，andheldfirmlyinitsplacebysomeshroudsattachedsecurelytothesidesoftheraft;thenthesailwasrunupandtrimmedtothewind，andtheraftbegantomakeaperceptibleprogressunderthebriskbreeze。
Assoonaswehadoncestarted，thecarpentersettoworktocontrivesomesortofarudder，thatwouldenableustomaintainourdesireddirection。CurtisandFalstenassistedhimwithsomeserviceablesuggestions，andinacoupleofhours’timehehadmadeandfixedtothebackoftheraftakindofpaddle，verysimilartothoseusedbytheMalays。
Atnoon，afterthenecessarypreliminaryobservations，Curtistookthealtitudeofthesun。Theresultgavelat。
15deg。7’N。bylong。49deg。35’W。asourposition，which，onconsultingthechart，provedtobeabout650milesnortheastofthecoastofParamariboinDutchGuiana。
Nowevenunderthemostfavorablecircumstances，withtrade—windsandweatheralwaysinourfavor，wecannotbyanychancehopetomakemorethantenortwelvemilesaday，sothatthevoyagecannotpossiblybeperformedunderaperiodoftwomonths。Tobesurethereisthehopetobeindulgedthatwemayfallinwithapassingvessel，butasthepartoftheAtlanticintowhichwehavebeendrivenisintermediatebetweenthetracksoftheFrenchandEnglishtransatlanticsteamerseitherfromtheAntillesortheBrazils，wecannotreckonatalluponacontingencyhappen—
inginourfavor;whileifacalmshouldsetin，orworsestill，ifthewindweretoblowfromtheeast，notonlytwomonths，buttwice，nay，threetimesthatlengthoftimewillberequiredtoaccomplishthepassage。
Atbest，however，ourprovisions，eventhoughusedwiththegreatestcare，willbarelylastthreemonths。Curtishascalledusintoconsultation，andastheworkingoftheraftdoesnotrequiresuchlaborastoexhaustourphysicalstrength，allhaveagreedtosubmittoaregimenwhich，althoughitwillsufficetokeepusalive，willcertainlynotfullysatisfythecravingsofhungerandthirst。
Asfaraswecanestimatewehavesomewhereabout500
lbs。ofmeatandaboutthesamequantityofbiscuit。Tomakethislastforthreemonthsweoughtnottoconsumeverymuchmorethan5lbs。adayofeach，which，whendividedamongeighteenpeople，willmakethedailyration5
oz。ofmeatand5oz。ofbiscuitforeachperson。Ofwaterwehavecertainlynotmorethan200gallons，butbyreduc—
ingeachperson’sallowancetoapintaday，wehopetoekeoutthat，too，overthespaceofthreemonths。
Itisarrangedthatthefoodshallbedistributedundertheboatswain’ssuperintendenceeverymorningatteno’clock。
Eachpersonwillthenreceivehisallowanceofmeatandbis—
cuit，whichmaybeeatenwhenandhowhepleases。Thewaterwillbegivenouttwiceaday——atteninthemorn—
ingandsixintheevening;butastheonlydrinking—vesselsinourpossessionaretheteakettleandtheoldIrishman’stinpot，thewaterhastobeconsumedimmediatelyondistribu—
tion。Asforthebrandy，ofwhichthereareonlyfivegallons，itwillbedoledoutwiththestrictestlimitation，andnoonewillbeallowedtotouchitexceptwiththecaptain’sexpresspermission。
Ishouldnotforgetthattherearetwosourcesfromwhichwemayhopetoincreaseourstore。First，anyrainthatmayfallwilladdtooursupplyofwater，andtwoemptybarrelshavebeenplacedreadytoreceiveit;secondly，wehopetodosomethinginthewayoffishing，andthesailorshavealreadybeguntopreparesomelines。
Allhavemutuallyagreedtoabidebytherulesthathavebeenlaiddown，forallarefullyawarethatbynothingbutthemostpreciseregimencanwehopetoavertthehorrorsoffamine，andforewarnedbythefateofmanywhoinsimilarcircumstanceshavemiserablyperished，wearedeterminedtodoallthatprudencecansuggestforhus—
bandingourstores。
CHAPTERXXXII
WECATCHASUPPLYOFFISH
DECEMBER8to17。——Whennightcamewewrappedour—
selvesinoursails。Formyownpart，wornoutwiththefatigueofthelongwatchinthetop—mast，Isleptforseveralhours;M。LetourneurandAndredidthesame，andMissHerbeyobtainedsufficientresttorelievethetiredexpressionthathercountenancehadlatelybeingwearing。Thenightpassedquietly。Astheraftwasnotveryheavilyladenthewavesdidnotbreakoveritatall，andwewereconsequentlyabletokeepourselvesperfectlydry。Tosaythetruth，itwasfarbetterforusthattheseashouldremainsomewhatboisterous，foranydiminutionintheswellofthewaveswouldindicatethatthewindhaddropped，anditwaswithafeelingofregretthatwhenthemorningcameIhadtonotedown\"weathercalm\"inmyjournal。
Intheselowlatitudestheheatintheday—timeissoin—
tense，andthesunburnswithsuchanincessantglare，thattheentireatmospherebecomespervadedwithaglowingvapor。Thewind，too，blowsonlyinfitfulgusts，andthroughlongintervalsofperfectcalmthesailsflapidlyanduselesslyagainstthemast。Curtisandtheboatswain，how—
ever，areofopinionthatwearenotentirelydependentonthewind。Certainindications，whichasailor’seyealonecoulddetect，makethemalmostsurethatwearebeingcarriedalongbyawesterlycurrent，thatflowsattherateofthreeorfourmilesanhour。Iftheyarenotmistaken，thisisacircumstancethatmaymateriallyassistourpro—
gress，andatwhichwecanhardlyfailtorejoice，forthehightemperatureoftenmakesourscantyallowanceofwaterquiteinadequatetoallayourthirst。
ButwithallourhardshipsImustconfessthatourcon—
ditionisfarpreferabletowhatitwaswhenwewerestillclingingtotheChancellor。Hereatleastwehaveacom—
parativelysolidplatformbeneathourfeet，andwearere—
lievedfromtheincessantdreadofbeingcarrieddownwithafounderingvessel。Inthedaytimewecanmoveaboutwithacertainamountoffreedom，discusstheweather，watchthesea，andexamineourfishing—lines;whileatnightwecanrestsecurelyundertheshelterofoursails。
\"Ireallythink，Mr。Kazallon，\"saidAndreLetourneurtomeafewdaysafterwehadembarked，\"thatourtimeonboardtheraftpassesaspleasantlyasitdiduponHamRock;andtherafthasoneadvantageevenoverthereef，foritiscapableofmotion。\"
\"Yes，Andre，\"Ireplied，\"aslongasthewindcontinuesfavorabletherafthasdecidedlytheadvantage;butsup—
posingthewindshifts;whatthen？\"
\"Oh，wemustn’tthinkaboutthat，\"hesaid;\"letuskeepupourcouragewhilewecan。\"
Ifeltthathewasright，andthatthedangerswehadescapedshouldmakeusmorehopefulforthefuture;andIthinkthatnearlyallofusareinclinedtosharehisopin—
ion。
WhetherthecaptainisequallysanguineIamunabletosay。Heholdshimselfverymuchaloof，andasheevi—
dentlyfeelsthathehasthegreatresponsibilityofsavingotherlivesthanhisown，wearereluctanttodisturbhissilentmeditations。
Suchofthecrewasarenotonwatchspendthegreaterportionoftheirtimeindozingontheforepartoftheraft。
Theaft，bythecaptain’sorders，hasbeenreservedfortheuseofuspassengers，andbyerectingsomeuprightswehavecontrivedtomakeasortoftent，whichaffordssomeshelterfromthesun。Onthewholeourbillofhealthistolerablysatisfactory。LieutenantWalteristheonlyinvalid，andhe，inspiteofallourcarefulnursing，seemstogetweakereveryday。
AndreLetourneuristhelifeofourparty，andIhaveneverappreciatedtheyoungmansowell。Hisoriginalityofperceptionmakeshisconversationbothlivelyandin—
teresting，andashetalks，hiswanandsufferingcountenancelightsupwithanintelligentanimation。Hisfatherseemstobecomemoredevotedtohimthanever，andIhaveseenhimsitforanhouratatime，withhishandrestingonhisson’s，listeningeagerlytohiseveryword。
MissHerbeyoccasionallyjoinsinourconversation，butalthoughwealldoourbesttomakeherforgetthatshehaslostthosewhoshouldhavebeenhernaturalprotectors，M。
Letourneuristheonlyoneamongustowhomshespeakswithoutacertainreserve。Tohim，whoseagegiveshimsomethingoftheauthorityofafather，shehastoldthehis—
toryofherlife——alifeofpatienceandself—denialsuchasnotunfrequentlyfallstothelotoforphans。Shehadbeen，shesaid，twoyearswithMrs。Kear，andalthoughnowleftaloneintheworld，homelessandwithoutresources，hopeforthefuturedoesnotfailher。Theyounglady’smodestdeportmentandenergyofcharactercommandtherespectofallonboard，andIdonotthinkthateventhecoarsestofthesailorshaseitherbywordorgestureactedtowardherinawaythatshecoulddeemoffensive。
The12th，13th，and14thofDecemberpassedawaywith—
outanychangeinourcondition。Thewindcontinuedtoblowinirregulargusts，butalwaysinthesamedirection，andthehelm，orratherthepaddleatthebackoftheraft，hasneveroncerequiredshifting;andthewatch，whoarepostedonthefore，underorderstoexaminetheseawiththemostscrupulousattention，havehadnochangeofanykindtoreport。
Attheendoftheweekwefoundourselvesgrowingac—
customedtoourlimiteddiet，andaswehadnomanualexer—
tion，andnowearandtearofourphysicalconstitution，wemanagedverywell。Ourgreatestdeprivationwastheshortsupplyofwater，for，asIsaidbefore，theunmitigatedheatmadeourthirstattimesverypainful。
Onthe15thweheldhighfestival。Ashoaloffish，ofthesparustribe，swarmedroundtheraft，andalthoughourtackleconsistedmerelyoflongcordsbaitedwithmorselsofdriedmeatstuckuponbentnails，thefishweresovoraciousthatinthecourseofacoupleofdayswehadcaughtasmanyasweighedalmost200lbs。，someofwhichweregrilled，andothersboiledinsea—wateroverafiremadeontheforepartoftheraft。Thismarveloushaulwasdoublywelcome，in—
asmuchasitnotonlyaffordedusachangeofdiet，butenabledustoeconomizeourstores;ifonlysomerainhadfallenatthesametimewewouldhavebeenmorethansatisfied。
Unfortunatelytheshoaloffishdidnotremainlonginourvicinity。Onthe17ththeyalldisappeared，andsomesharks，notlessthantwelveorfifteenfeetlong，belongingtothespeciesofthespotteddog—fish，tooktheirplace。Thesehorriblecreatureshaveblackbacksandfins，coveredwithwhitespotsandstripes。Here，onourlowraft，weseemedalmostonalevelwiththem，andmorethanoncetheirtailshavestruckthesparswithterribleviolence。Thesailorsmanagetokeepthematadistancebymeansofhandspikes，butIshallnotbesurprisediftheypersistinfollowingus，instinctivelyintelligentthatwearedestinedtobecometheirprey。Formyself，Iconfessthattheygivemeafeelingofuneasiness;theyseemtomelikemonstersofill—omen。
CHAPTERXXXIII
MUTINYONTHERAFT
DECEMBER18to20。——Onthe18ththewindfreshenedalittle，butasitblewfromthesamefavorablequarterwedidnotcomplain，andonlytooktheprecautionofputtinganextrasupporttothemast，sothatitshouldnotsnapwiththetensionofthesail。Thisdone，theraftwascarriedalongwithsomethingmorethanitsordinaryspeed，andleftalonglineoffoaminitswake。
Intheafternoontheskybecameslightlyover—clouded，andtheheatconsequentlylessoppressive。Theswellmadeitmoredifficultfortherafttokeepitsbalance，andweshippedtwoorthreeheavyseas;butthecarpentermanagedtomakewithsomeplanksakindofwallaboutacoupleoffeethigh，whichprotectedusfromthedirectactionofthewaves。Ourcasksoffoodandwaterweresecuredtotheraftwithdoubleropes，forwedarednotruntheriskoftheirbeingcarriedoverboard，anaccidentthatwouldatoncehavereducedustothedirestdistress。
Inthecourseofthedaythesailorsgatheredsomeofthemarineplantsknownbythenameofsargassos，verysimilartothosewesawinsuchprofusionbetweentheBermudasandHamRock。Iadvisedmycompanionstochewthelaminarytangles，whichtheywouldfindcontainedasaccharinejuice，affordingconsiderablerelieftotheirparchedlipsandthroats。
Theremainderofthedaypassedwithoutincident。I
shouldnot，however，omittomentionthatthefrequentcon—
ferencesheldamongthesailors，especiallybetweenOwen，Burke，Flaypole，Wilson，andJynxstrop，thenegro，arousedsomeuneasysuspicionsinmymind。Whatwasthesub—
jectoftheirconversationIcouldnotdiscover，fortheybecamesilentimmediatelythatapassengeroroneoftheofficersapproachedthem。WhenImentionedthemattertoCurtisIfoundhehadalreadynoticedthesesecretin—
terviews，andthattheyhadgivenhimenoughconcerntomakehimdeterminedtokeepastricteyeuponJynxstropandOwen，who，rascalsastheywerethemselves，wereevi—
dentlytryingtodisaffecttheirmates。
Onthe19ththeheatwasagainexcessive。Theskywascloudless，andastherewasnotenoughwindtofillthesailtheraftlaymotionlessuponthesurfaceofthewater。
Someofthesailorsfoundatransientalleviationfortheirthirstbyplungingintothesea，butaswewerefullyawarethatthewaterallaroundwasinfestedwithsharks，noneofuswasrashenoughtofollowtheirexample，thoughif，asseemslikely，weremainlongbecalmed，weshallprobablyintimeovercomeourfears，andfeelconstrainedtoindulgeourselveswithabath。
ThehealthofLieutenantWaltercontinuestocauseusgraveanxiety，theyoungmanbeingweakenedbyattacksofintermittentfever。Exceptforthelossofthemedicine—
chestwemighthavetemporarilyreducedthisbyquinine;
butitisonlytooevidentthatthepoorfellowisconsump—
tive，andthatthathopelessmaladyismakingravagesuponhimthatnomedicinecouldpermanentlyarrest。Hissharp，drycough，hisshortbreathing，hisprofuseperspirations，moreespeciallyinthemorning;thepinched—innose，thehollowcheeks，ofwhichthegeneralpallorisonlyrelievedbyahecticflush，thecontractedlips，thetoobrillianteyeandwastedform——allbearwitnesstoaslowbutsurede—
cay。
To—day，the20th，thetemperatureisashighasever，andtheraftstillmotionless。Theraysofthesunpenetrateeventhroughtheshelterofourtent，wherewesitliterallygasp—
ingwiththeheat。Theimpatiencewithwhichweawaitedthemomentwhentheboatswainshoulddoleoutourmeagerallowanceofwater，andtheeagernesswithwhichthoselukewarmdropswereswallowed，canonlyberealizedbythosewhoforthemselveshaveenduredtheagoniesofthirst。
LieutenantWaltersuffersmorethananyofusfromthescarcityofwater，andInoticedthatMissHerbeyreservedalmostthewholeofherownshareforhisuse。Kindandcompassionateasever，theyounggirldoesallthatliesinherpowertorelievethepoorfellow’ssufferings。
\"Mr。Kazallon，\"shesaidtomethismorning，\"thatyoungmangetsmanifestlyweakereveryday。\"
\"Yes，MissHerbey，\"Ireplied，\"andhowsorrowfulitisthatwecandonothingforhim，absolutelynothing。\"
\"Hush！\"shesaid，withherwontedconsideration，\"per—
hapshewillhearwhatwearesaying。\"
Andthenshesatdownneartheedgeoftheraft，where，withherheadrestingonherhands，sheremainedlostinthought。
Anincidentsufficientlyunpleasantoccurredto—day。FornearlyanhourOwen，Flaypole，BurkeandJynxstrophadbeenengagedincloseconversationand，althoughtheirvoiceswerelow，theirgestureshadbetrayedthattheywereanimatedbysomestrongexcitement。AttheconclusionofthecolloquyOwengotupandwalkeddeliberatelytothequarteroftheraftthathasbeenreservedfortheuseofthepassengers。
\"Whereareyouofftonow，Owen？\"saidtheboatswain。
\"That’smybusiness，\"saidthemaninsolently，andpur—
suedhiscourse。
Theboatswainwasabouttostophim，butbeforehecouldinterfereCurtiswasstandingandlookingOwensteadilyintheface。
\"Ah，captain，I’vegotawordfrommymatestosaytoyou，\"hesaid，withalltheeffronteryimaginable。
\"Sayon，then，\"saidthecaptaincoolly。
\"Weshouldliketoknowaboutthatlittlekegofbrandy。
Isitbeingkeptfortheporpoisesortheofficers？\"
Findingthatheobtainednoreply，hewenton：
\"Lookhere，captain，whatwewantistohaveourgrogservedouteverymorningasusual。\"
\"Thenyoucertainlywillnot，\"saidthecaptain。
\"What！what！\"exclaimedOwen，\"don’tyoumeantoletushaveourgrog？\"
\"Onceandforall，no。\"
Foramoment，withamaliciousgrinuponhislips，Owenstoodconfrontingthecaptain;then，asthoughthinkingbet—
terofhimself，heturnedroundandrejoinedhiscompanions，whowerestilltalkingtogetherinanundertone。
WhenIwasafterwarddiscussingthematterwithCurtis，Iaskedhimwhetherhewassurehehaddonerightinre—
fusingthebrandy。
\"Right！\"hecried，\"tobesureIhave。Allowthosementohavebrandy！Iwouldthrowitalloverboardfirst。\"
CHAPTERXXXIV
ASQUALL
DECEMBER21。——Nofurtherdisturbancehastakenplaceamongthemen。Forafewhoursthefishappearedagain，andwecaughtagreatmanyofthem，andstoredthemawayinanemptybarrel。Thisadditiontoourstockofpro—
visionsmakesushopethatfood，atleast，willnotfailus。
Usuallythenightsinthetropicsarecool，butto—day，astheeveningdrewon，thewontedfreshnessdidnotreturn，buttheairremainedstiflingandoppressive，whileheavymassesofvaporhungoverthewater。
Therewasnomoonlight;therewouldbeanewmoonathalf—pastoneinthemorning，butthenightwassingularlydark，exceptfordazzlingflashesofsummerlightningthatfromtimetotimeilluminatedthehorizonfarandwide。
Therewas，however，noansweringrollofthunder，andthesilenceoftheatmosphereseemedalmostawful。
Foracoupleofhours，inthevainhopeofcatchingabreathofair，MissHerbey，AndreLetourneur，andI，satwatchingtheimposingstruggleoftheelectricvapors。Thecloudsappearedlikeembattledturretscrestedwithflame，andtheverysailors，coarse—mindedmenastheywere，seemedstruckwiththegrandeurofthespectacle，andre—
gardedattentively，thoughwithananxiouseye，thepre—
liminarytokensofacomingstorm。Untilmidnightwekeptourseatsuponthesternoftheraft，whilethelightningeverandagainshedaroundusalividglaresimilartothatproducedbyaddingsalttolightedalcohol。
\"Areyouafraidofastorm。MissHerbey？\"saidAndretothegirl。
\"No，Mr。Andre，myfeelingsarealwaysratherthoseofawethanoffear，\"shereplied。\"Iconsiderastormoneofthesublimestphenomenathatwecanbehold——don’tyouthinksotoo？\"
\"Yes，andespeciallywhenthethunderispealing，\"hesaid;\"thatmajesticrolling，fardifferenttothesharpcrashofartillery，risesandfallslikethelong—drawnnotesofthegrandestmusic，andIcansafelysaythatthetonesofthemostaccomplishedartistehavenevermovedmelikethatin—
comparablevoiceofnature。\"
\"Ratheradeepbass，though，\"Isaid，laughing。
\"Thatmaybe，\"heanswered;\"butIwishwemighthearitnow，forthissilentlightningissomewhatunexpressive。\"
\"Nevermindthat，Andre，\"Isaid;\"enjoyastormwhenitcomes，ifyoulike，butpraydon’twishforit。\"
\"Andwhynot？\"saidhe;\"astormwillbringuswind，youknow。\"
\"Andwater，too，\"addedMissHerbey，\"thewaterofwhichwearesoseriouslyinneed。\"
Theyoungpeopleevidentlywishedtoregardthestormfromtheirownpointofview，andalthoughIcouldhaveopposedplentyofcommonsensetotheirpoeticalsentiments，Isaidnomore，butletthemtalkonastheypleasedforfullyanhour。
Meanwhiletheskywasbecomingquiteover—clouded，andafterthezodiacalconstellationshaddisappearedinthemiststhathungroundthehorizon，onebyonethestarsaboveourheadswereveiledindarkrollingmassesofvapor，fromwhicheveryinstantthereissuedforthsheetsofelectricitythatformedavividbackgroundtothedarkgrayfragmentsofcloudthatfloatedbeneath。
Sleep，evenifwewishedit，wouldhavebeenimpossibleinthatstiflingtemperature。Thelightningincreasedinbrilliancyandappearedfromallquartersofthehorizon，eachflashcoveringlargearcs，varyingfroml00deg。to150deg。，leavingtheatmospherepervadedbyoneincessantphos—
phorescentglow。
Thethunderbecameatlengthmoreandmoredistinct，thereports，ifImayusetheexpression，being\"round，\"
ratherthanrolling。Itseemedalmostasthoughtheskywerepaddedwithheavycloudsofwhichtheelasticitymuffledthesoundoftheelectricbursts。
Hitherto，theseahadbeencalm，almoststagnantasapond。Now，however，longundulationstookplace，whichthesailorsrecognized，alltoowell，asbeingthereboundpro—
ducedbyadistanttempest。Aship，insuchacase，wouldhavebeeninstantlybroughtahull，butnomaneuveringcouldbeappliedtoourraft，whichcouldonlydriftbeforetheblast。
Atoneo’clockinthemorningonevividflash，followed，aftertheintervalofafewseconds，byaloudreportofthunder，announcedthatthestormwasrapidlyapproaching。
Suddenlythehorizonwasenvelopedinavaporousfog，andseemedtocontractuntilitwasclosearoundus。Atthesameinstantthevoiceofoneofthesailorswasheardshout—
ing：
\"Asquall！asquall！\"
CHAPTERXXXV
TWOSAILORSWASHEDOVERBOARD
DECEMBER21，night。——Theboatswainrushedtothehalliardsthatsupportedthesail，andinstantlyloweredtheyard;notamomenttoosoon，forwiththespeedofanarrowthesquallwasuponus，andifithadnotbeenforthesailor’stimelywarningwemustallhavebeenknockeddownandprobablyprecipitatedintothesea;asitwas，ourtentonthebackoftheraftwascarriedaway。
Theraftitself，however，beingsonearlylevelwiththewater，hadlittleperiltoencounterfromtheactualwind;
butfromthemightywavesnowraisedbythehurricanewehadeverythingtodread。Atfirstthewaveshadbeencrushedandflattenedasitwerebythepressureoftheair，butnow，asthoughstrengthenedbythereaction，theyrosewiththeutmostfury。Theraftfollowedthemotionsoftheincreasingswell，andwastossedupanddown，toandfro，andfromsidetosidewiththemostviolentoscillations。
\"Lashyourselvestight，\"criedtheboatswain，ashethrewussomeropes;andinafewmomentswithCurtis’sassis—
tance，M。Letourneur，andAndre，Falstenandmyselfwerefastenedsofirmlytotheraft，thatnothingbutitstotaldis—
ruptioncouldcarryusaway。MissHerbeywasboundbyaropepassedroundherwaisttooneoftheuprightsthathadsupportedourtent，andbytheglareofthelightningI
couldseethathercountenancewasassereneandcomposedasever。
Thenthestormbegantorageindeed。Flashfollowedflash，pealfollowedpealinquicksuccession。Oureyeswereblinded，ourearsdeafened，withtheroarandglare。Thecloudsabove，theoceanbeneath，seemedverilytohavetakenfire，andseveraltimesIsawforkedlightningsdartupwardfromthecrestofthewaves，andminglewiththosethatradiatedfromthefieryvaultabove。Astrongodorofsulphurpervadedtheair，butthoughthunderboltsfellthickaroundus，notonetouchedourraft。
Bytwoo’clockthestormhadreacheditsheight。Thehurricanehadincreased，andtheheavywaves，heatedtoastrangeheatbythegeneraltemperature，dashedoverusuntilweweredrenchedtotheskin。Curtis，Dowlas，theboatswain，andthesailorsdidwhattheycouldtostrengthentheraftwithadditionalropes。M。Letourneurplacedhim—
selfinfrontofAndre，toshelterhimfromthewaves。
MissHerbeystooduprightandmotionlessasastatue。
Soondensemassesofluridcloudscamerollingup，andacrackling，liketherattleofmusketry，resoundedthroughtheair。Thiswasproducedbyaseriesofelectricalcon—
cussions，inwhichvolleysofhailstonesweredischargedfromthecloud—batteriesabove。Infact，asthestorm—sheetcameincontactwithacurrentofcoldair，hailwasformedwithgreatrapidity，andhailstones，largeasnuts，camepelt—
ingdown，makingtheplatformoftheraftre—echowithametallicring。
Forabouthalfanhourthemeteoricshowercontinuedtodescend，andduringthattimethewindslightlyabatedinviolence;butafterhavingshiftedfromquartertoquar—
ter，itoncemoreblewwithallitsformerfury。Theshroudswerebroken，buthappilythemast，alreadybendingalmostdouble，wasremovedbythemenfromitssocketbe—
foreitshouldbesnappedshortoff……Onegustcaughtawaythetiller，whichwentadriftbeyondallpowerofrecovery，andthesameblastblewdownseveraloftheplanksthatformedthelowparapetonthelarboardside，sothatthewavesdashedinwithouthindrancethroughthebreach。
Thecarpenterandhismatestriedtorepairthedamage，but，tossedfromwavetowave，theraftwasinclinedtoanangleofmorethanforty—fivedegrees，makingitimpossibleforthemtokeeptheirfooting，androllingoneoveranother，theywerethrowndownbytheviolentshocks。Whytheywerenotaltogethercarriedaway，whywewerenotallhurledintothesea，wastomeamystery。Evenifthecordsthatboundusshouldretaintheirhold，itseemedperfectlyincrediblethattheraftitselfshouldnotbeoverturned，sothatweshouldbecarrieddownandstifledintheseethingwaters。
Atlast，towardthreeinthemorning，whenthehurricaneseemedtoberagingmorefiercelythanever，theraft，caughtuponthecrestofanenormouswave，stoodliterallyper—
pendicularlyonitsedge。Foraninstant，bytheillumina—
tionofthelightning，webeheldourselvesraisedtoanin—
comprehensibleheightabovethefoamingbreakers。Criesofterrorescapedourlips。Allmustbeovernow！Butno;anothermoment，andtherafthadresumeditshorizontalposition。Safe，indeed，wewere，butthetremendousup—
heavalwasnotwithoutitsmelancholyconsequences。
Thecordsthatsecuredthecasesofprovisionshadburstasunder。Onecaserolledoverboard，andthesideofoneofthewater—barrelswasstavedin，sothatthewaterwhichitcontainedwasrapidlyescaping。Twoofthesailorsrushedforwardtorescuethecaseofpreservedmeat;butoneofthemcaughthisfootbetweentheplanksoftheplat—
form，and，unabletodisengageit，thepoorfellowstoodutteringcriesofdistress。
Itriedtogotohisassistance，andhadalreadyuntiedthecordthatwasaroundme;butIwastoolate。
Anotherheavyseadashedoverus，andbythelightofadazzlingflashIsawtheunhappyman，althoughhehadmanagedwithoutassistancetodisengagehisfoot，washedoverboardbeforeitwasinmypowertogetnearhim。Hiscompanionhadalsodisappeared。
Thesameponderouswavelaidmeprostrateontheplat—
form，andasmyheadcameincollisionwiththecornerofaspar，foratimeIlostallconsciousness。
CHAPTERXXXVI
WELOSENEARLYALLOURPROVISIONS
DECEMBER22。——Daylightcameatlength，andthesunbrokethroughanddispersedthecloudsthatthestormhadleftbehind。Thestruggleoftheelements，whileitlasted，hadbeenterrific，buttheswoonintowhichIwasthrownbymyfallpreventedmefromobservingthefinalincidentsofthevisitation。AllthatIknowis，thatshortlyafterwehadshippedtheheavysea，thatIhavementioned，ashowerofrainhadtheeffectofcalmingtheseverityofthehurri—
cane，andtendedtodiminishtheelectrictensionoftheatmosphere。
ThankstothekindcareofM。LetourneurandMissHer—
bey，Irecoveredconsciousness，butIbelievethatitistoRobertCurtisthatIowemyrealdeliverance，forheitwasthatpreventedmefrombeingcarriedawaybyasecondheavywave。
Thetempest，fierceasitwas，didnotlastmorethanafewhours;buteveninthatshortspaceoftimewhatanirrepar—
ablelosswehavesustained，andwhataloadofmiseryseemsstoredupforusinthefuture！
Ofthetwosailorswhoperishedinthestorm，onewasAustin，afineactiveyoungmanofabouteight—and—twenty;
theotherwasoldO’Ready，thesurvivorofsomanyship—
wrecks。Ourpartyisthusreducedtosixteensouls，leav—
ingatotalbarelyexceedinghalfthenumberofthosewhoembarkedonboardtheChancelloratCharleston。
Curtis’sfirstcarehadbeentotakeastrictaccountoftheremnantofourprovisions。Ofallthetorrentsofrainthatfellinthenightwewereunhappilyunabletocatchasingledrop;butwaterwillnotfailusyet，foraboutfour—
teengallonsstillremaininthebottomofthebrokenbarrel，whilethesecondbarrelhasnotbeentouched。Butoffoodwehavenexttonothing。Thecasescontainingthedriedmeat，andthefishthatwehadpreserved，havebothbeenwashedaway，andallthatnowremainstousisaboutsixtypoundsofbiscuit。Sixtypoundsofbiscuitbetweensixteenpersons！Eightdays，withhalfapoundadayapiece，willconsumeitall。
Thedayhaspassedawayinsilence。Ageneraldepres—
sionhasfallenuponall;thespecteroffaminehasappearedamongus，andeachhasremainedwrappedinhisowngloomymeditations，thougheachhasdoubtlessbutoneideadominantinhismind。
Once，asIpassednearthegroupofsailorslyingontheforepartoftheraft，IheardFlaypolesaywithasneer：
\"Thosewhoaregoingtodiehadbettermakehasteaboutit。\"
\"Yes，\"saidOwen，\"andleavetheirshareoffoodtoothers。\"
Attheregularhoureachpersonreceivedhishalf—poundofbiscuit。Some，Inoticed，swalloweditravenously;
othersreserveditforanothertime。Falstendividedhisrationintoseveralportions，corresponding，Ibelieve，tothenumberofmealstowhichhewasordinarilyaccustomed。
Whatprudenceheshows！Ifanyonesurvivesthismisery，Ithinkitwillbehe。
CHAPTERXXXVII
LIEUTENANTWALTER’SCONDITION
DECEMBER23to30。——Afterthestormthewindsettledbackintoitsoldquarter，blowingprettybrisklyfromthenortheast。Asthebreezewasallinourfavoritwasim—
portanttomakethemostofit，andafterDowlashadcare—
fullyreadjustedthemast，thesailwasoncemorehoisted，andwewerecarriedalongattherateoftwoortwoandahalfknotsanhour。Anewrudder，formedofasparandagood—sizedplank，hasbeenfittedintheplaceoftheonewelost，butwiththewindinitspresentquarteritisinlittlerequisition。Theplatformoftherafthasbeenre—
paired，thedisjointedplankshavebeenclosedbymeansofropesandwedges，andthatportionoftheparapetthatwaswashedawayhasbeenreplaced，sothatwearenolongerwettedbythewaves。Infact，nothinghasbeenleftundonetoinsurethesolidityofourraft，andtorenderitcapableofresistingthewearandtearofthewindandwaves。Butthedangersofwindandwavesarenotthosewhichwehavemosttodread。
Togetherwiththeuncloudedskycameareturnofthetropicalheat，whichduringtheprecedingdayshadcausedussuchseriousinconvenience;fortunatelyonthe23dtheexcessivewarmthwassomewhattemperedbythebreeze，andasthetentwasonceagainputup，wewereabletofindshelterunderitbyturns。
Butthewantoffoodwasbeginningtotelluponussadly，andoursunkencheeksandwastedformswerevisibletokensofwhatwewereenduring。Withmostofushungerseemedtoattacktheentirenervoussystem，andthecon—
strictionofthestomachproducedanacutesensationofpain。Anarcotic，suchasopiumortobacco，mighthaveavailedtosoothe，ifnottocure，thegnawingagony;butofsedativeswehadnone，sothepainmustbeendured。
Onealonetherewasamonguswhodidnotfeelthepangsofhunger。LieutenantWalterseemedasitweretofeeduponthefeverthatragedwithinhim;butthenhewasthevictimofthemosttorturingthirst。MissHerbey，besidesreservingforhimaportionofherowninsufficientallowance，obtainedfromthecaptainasmallextrasupplyofwaterwithwhicheveryquarterofanhourshemoistenedtheparchedlipsoftheyoungman，who，almosttooweaktospeak，couldonlyexpresshisthanksbyagratefulsmile。Poorfellow！
allourcarecannotavailtosavehimnow;heisdoomed，mostsurelydoomedtodie。
Onthe23dheseemedtobeconsciousofhiscondition，forhemadeasigntometositdownbyhisside，andthensummoningupallhisstrengthtospeak，heaskedmeinafewbrokenwordshowlongIthoughthehadtolive？
Slightasmyhesitationwas，Walternoticeditimmed—
iately。
\"Thetruth，\"hesaid;\"tellmetheplaintruth。\"
\"Mydearfellow，Iamnotadoctor，youknow，\"Ibe—
gan，\"andIcanscarcelyjudge——\"
\"Nevermind，\"heinterrupted，\"tellmejustwhatyouthink。\"
Ilookedathimattentivelyforsomemoments，thenlaidmyearagainsthischest。Inthelastfewdayshismaladyhadmadefearfullyrapidstrides，anditwasonlytooevi—
dentthatonelunghadalreadyceasedtoact，whiletheotherwasscarcelycapableofperformingtheworkofrespiration。
Theyoungmanwasnowsufferingfromthefeverwhichisthesuresymptomoftheapproachingendinalltuberculouscomplaints。
Thelieutenantkepthiseyefixeduponmewithalookofeagerinquiry。Iknewnotwhattosay，andsoughttoevadehisquestion。
\"Mydearboy，\"Isaid，\"inourpresentcircumstancesnotoneofuscantellhowlonghehastolive。Notoneofusknowswhatmayhappeninthecourseofthenexteightdays。\"
\"Thenexteightdays，\"hemurmured，ashelookedeagerlyintomyface。
Andthen，turningawayhishead，heseemedtofallintoasortofdoze。
The24th，25th，and26thpassedwithoutanyalterationinourcircumstances，andstrange，nay，incredibleasitmaysound，webegantogetaccustomedtoourconditionofstar—
vation。Often，whenreadingthehistoriesofshipwrecks，Ihavesuspectedtheaccountstobegreatlyexaggerated;butnowIfullyrealizetheirtruth，andmarvelwhenIfindonhowlittlenutrimentitispossibletoexistforsolongatime。