第6章

Reducedonceagaintoagloomydespondency，allturnedtotheirplaces，toawaittheendthatcannotnowbelongdeferred。

JustasImovedawayIheardtheboatswainsaytoCurtis：

\"Captain，whenshallwedrawlots？\"

Thecaptainmadenoreply。

CHAPTERXLV

OURTHIRSTRELIEVED

JANUARY16。——Ifthecrewofanypassingvesselhadcaughtsightofusaswelaystillandinanimateuponoursail—cloth，theywouldscarcely，atfirstsight，havehesitatedtopronounceusdead。

Mysufferingswereterrible;tongue，lips，andthroatweresoparchedandswollenthatiffoodhadbeenathandIquestionwhetherIcouldhaveswallowedit。Soex—

asperatedwerethefeelingsofusall，however，thatweglancedateachotherwithlooksassavageasthoughwewereabouttoslaughterandwithoutdelayeatuponean—

other。

Theheatwasaggravatedbytheatmospherebeingsome—

whatstormy。Heavyvaporsgatheredonthehorizon，andtherewasalookasifitwererainingallaround。Longingeyesandgaspingmouthsturnedinvoluntarilytowardtheclouds，andM。Letourneur，onbendedknee，wasraisinghishands，asitmightbeinsupplicationtotherelentlessskies。

Itwaseleveno’clockinthemorning。Ilistenedfordis—

tantrumblingswhichmightannounceanapproachingstorm，butalthoughthevaporshadobstructedthesun’srays，theynolongerpresentedtheappearanceofbeingchargedwithelectricity。Thusourprognosticationsendedindisappointment;theclouds，whichintheearlymorninghadbeenmarkedbythedistinctnessoftheiroutline，hadmeltedoneintoanotherandassumedanuniformdullgraytint;infact，wewereenvelopedinanordinaryfog。Butwasitnotstillpossiblethatthisfogmightturntorain？

Happilythishopewasdestinedtoberealized;forinaveryshorttime，Dowlas，withashoutofdelight，declaredthatrainwasactuallycoming;andsureenough，nothalfamilefromtheraft，thedarkparallelstreaksagainsttheskytestifiedthatthereatleastrainwasfalling。IfanciedI

couldseethedropsreboundingfromthesurfaceofthewater。Thewindwasfreshandbringingthecloudrightontowardus，yetwecouldnotsuppressourtrepidationlestitshouldexhaustitselfbeforeitreachedus。

Butno;verysoonlargeheavydropsbegantofall，andthestorm—cloud，passingoverourheads，wasoutpouringitscontentsuponus。Theshower，however，wasverytransient;alreadyabrightstreakoflightalongthehorizonmarkedthelimitofthecloudandwarnedusthatwemustbequicktomakethemostofwhatithadtogiveus。Curtishadplacedthebrokenbarrelinthepositionthatwasmostexposed，andeverysailwasspreadouttothefullestextentourdimensionswouldallow。

Wealllaidourselvesdownflatuponourbacksandkeptourmouthswideopen。Therainsplashedintomyface，wettedmylips，andtrickleddownmythroat。NevercanIdescribetheecstasywithwhichIimbibedthatrenovat—

ingmoisture。Theparchedandswollenglandsrelaxed，Ibreathedafresh，andmywholebeingseemedrevivedwithastrangeandrequickenedlife。

Therainlastedabouttwentyminutes，whenthecloud，onlyhalfexhausted，passedquiteawayfromoverus。

Wegraspedeachother’shandsaswerosefromtheplat—

formonwhichwehadbeenlying，andmutualcongratula—

tions，mingledwithgratitude，pouredforthfromourlongsilentlips。Hope，howeverevanescentitmightbe，forthemomenthadreturned，andweyieldedtotheexpectationthat，erelong，otherandmoreabundantcloudsmightcomeandreplenishourstore。

Thenextconsiderationwashowtopreserveandecono—

mizewhatlittlehadbeencollectedbythebarrel，orimbibedbytheoutspreadsails。Itwasfoundthatonlyafewpintsofrain—waterhadfallenintothebarrel;tothissmallquantitythesailorswereabouttoaddwhattheycouldbywringingoutthesaturatedsails，whenCurtismadethemdesistfromtheirintention。

\"Stop，stop！\"hesaid\"wemustwaitamoment;wemustseewhetherthiswaterfromthesailsisdrinkable。\"

Ilookedathiminamazement。Whyshouldnotthisbeasdrinkableastheother？Hesqueezedafewdropsoutofoneofthefoldsofasailintoatinpot，andputittohislips。Tomysurprise，herejecteditimmediately，andupontastingitformyselfIfounditnotmerelybrackish，butbrinyastheseaitself。Thefactwasthatthecanvashadbeensolongexposedtotheactionofthewaves，thatithadbecomethoroughlyimpregnatedbysalt，whichofcoursewastakenupagainbythewaterthatfelluponit。Dis—

appointedwewere;butwithseveralpintsofwaterinourpossession，wewerenotonlycontentedforthepresent，butsanguineinourprospectforthefuture。

CHAPTERXLVI

MYFASTISBROKEN

JANUARY17。——Asanaturalconsequenceoftheallevia—

tionofourthirst，thepangsofhungerreturnedmorevio—

lentlythanever。Althoughwehadnobait，andevenifwehadwecouldnotuseitforwantofawhirl，wecouldnothelpaskingwhethernopossiblemeanscouldbedevisedforsecuringoneoutofthemanysharksthatwerestillper—

petuallyswarmingabouttheraft。Armedwithknives，liketheIndiansinthepearlfisheries，wasitnotpracticabletoattackthemonstersintheirownelement？Curtisex—

pressedhiswillingnesspersonallytomaketheattempt，butsonumerouswerethesharksthatwewouldnotforonemomenthearofhisriskinghislifeinaventureofwhichthedangerwasasgreatasthesuccesswasdoubtful。

Byplungingintothesea，orbygnawingatapieceofmetal，wecouldalways，oratleastoften，dosomethingthatcheatedusintobelievingthatweweremitigatingthepainsofthirst;butwithhungeritwasdifferent。Theprospect，too，ofrainseemedhopeful，whileforgettingfoodthereappearednochance;and，asweknewthatnothingcouldcompensateforthelackofnutritivematter，weweresoonallcastdownagain。Shockingtoconfess，itwouldbeuntruetodenythatwesurveyedeachotherwiththeeyeofaneagerlonging;andIneedhardlyexplaintowhatadegreeofsavagenesstheoneideathathauntedushadre—

ducedourfeelings。

Eversincethestorm—cloudbroughtusthetootransientshowertheskyhasbeentolerablyclear，andalthoughatthattimethewindhadslightlyfreshened，ithassincedropped，andthesailhangsidlyagainstourmast。Exceptforthetriflingreliefitbringsbymodifyingthetempera—

ture，wecarelittlenowforanybreeze。IgnorantasweareastowhatquarteroftheAtlanticwehavebeencarriedbythecurrents，itmattersverylittletousfromwhatdirec—

tionthewindmayblowifonlyitwouldbring，inrainordew，themoistureofwhichwearesodreadfullyinneed。

Mybrainishauntedbymosthorriblenightmares;notthatIsupposeIaminanywaymoredistressedthanmycompanions，whoarelyingintheirusualplaces，vainlyendeavoringtoforgettheirsufferingsinsleep。

AfteratimeIfellintoarestless，dreamydoze。Iwasneitherasleepnorawake。HowlongIremainedinthatstateofstuporIcouldhardlysay，butatlengthastrangesensationbroughtmetomyself。WasIdreaming，orwastherenotreallysomeunaccustomedodorfloatingintheair？Mynostrilsbecamedistended，andIcouldscarcelysuppressacryofastonishment;butsomeinstinctkeptmequiet，andIlaidmyselfdownagainwiththepuzzledsen—

sationsometimesexperiencedwhenwehaveforgottenawordorname。Onlyafewminutes，however，hadelapsedbeforeanotherstillmoresavorypuffinducedmetotakeseverallonginhalations。Suddenly，thetruthseemedtoflashacrossmymind。\"Surely，\"Imutteredtomyself，\"thismustbecookedmeatthatIcansmell。\"

AgainandagainIsniffed，andbecamemoreconvincedthaneverthatmysenseswerenotdeceivingme。Butfromwhatpartoftheraftcouldthesmellproceed？Irosetomyknees，andhavingsatisfiedmyselfthattheodorcamefromthefront，Icreptstealthilyasacatunderthesailsandbetweenthesparsinthatdirection。Followingthepromptingsofmyscent，ratherthanmyvision，likeablood—

houndintrackofhisprey。IsearchedeverywhereIcould，nowfinding，nowlosing，thesmellaccordingtomychangeofposition，orthedroppingofthewind。AtlengthIgotthetruescent，onceforall，sothatIcouldgostraighttotheobjectforwhichIwasinsearch。

Approachingthestarboardangleoftheraft，Icametotheconclusionthatthesmellthathadthuskeenlyex—

citedmycravingswasthesmellofsmokedbacon;themem—

branesofmytonguealmostbristledwiththeintensenessofmylonging。

Crawlingalongalittlefarther，underathickrollofsail—cloth，Iwasnotlonginsecuringmyprize。Forcingmyarmbelowtheroll，Ifeltmyhandincontactwithsome—

thingwrappedupinpaper。Iclutcheditup，andcarrieditofftoaplacewhereIcouldexamineitbythehelpofthelightofthemoonthathadnowmadeitsappearanceabovethehorizon。Ialmostshriekedforjoy。Itwasapieceofbacon。True，itdidnotweighmanyounces，butsmallasitwasitwouldsufficetoalleviatethepangsofhungerforonedayatleast。Iwasjustonthepointofraisingittomymouth，whenahandwaslaiduponmyarm。ItwasonlybyamostdeterminedeffortthatIkeptmyselffromscreamingout。Oneinstantmore，andI

foundmyselffacetofacewithHobart。

InamomentIunderstoodall。PlainlythisrascalHo—

barthadsavedsomeprovisionsfromthewreck，uponwhichhehadbeensubsistingeversince。Thestewardhadpro—

videdforhimself，whileallaroundhimweredyingofstarvation。Detestablewretch！Thisaccountsfortheinconsistencyofhiswell—to—dolooksandhispitiablegroans。

Vilehypocrite！

Yetwhy，itstruckme，shouldIcomplain？WasnotI

reapingthebenefitofthatsecretstorethathe，forhimself，hadsaved？

ButHobarthadnoideaofallowingmethepeaceablepossessionofwhatheheldtobehisown。Hemadeadashatthefragmentofbacon，andseemeddeterminedtowrestitfrommygrasp。Westruggledwitheachother，butalthoughourwrestlingwasveryviolent，itwasverynoise—

less。

Wewerebothofusawarethatitwasabsolutelyneces—

sarythatnotoneofthoseonboardshouldknowanythingatallabouttheprizeforwhichwewerecontending。Norwasmyowndeterminationlessenedbyhearinghimgroanoutthatitwashislast，hisonlymorsel。\"His！\"I

thought;\"itshallbeminenow！\"

Andstillcarefulthatnonoiseofcommotionshouldarise，Ithrewhimonhisback，andgraspinghisthroatsothathegurgledagain，Iheldhimdownuntil，inrapidmouth—

fuls，Ihadswallowedthelastscrapofthefoodforwhichwehadfoughtsohard。

Ireleasedmyprisoner，andquietlycreptbacktomyownquarters。

AndnotasoulisawarethatIhavebrokenmyfast！

CHAPTERXLVII

HOBARTHANGSHIMSELF

JANUARY18。——AfterthisexcitementIawaitedtheap—

proachofdaywithastrangeanxiety。MyconsciencetoldmethatHobarthadtherighttodenouncemeinthepres—

enceofallmyfellow—passengers;yetmyalarmwasvain。

Theideaofmyproceedingsbeingexposedbyhimwasquiteabsurd;inamomenthewouldhimselfbemurderedwithoutpitybythecrew，ifitshouldberevealedthat，un—

knowntothem，hehadbeenlivingonsomeprivatestorewhich，byclandestinecunning，hehadreserved。But，inspiteofmyanxiety，Ihadalongingfordaytocome。

ThebitoffoodthatIhadthusstolenwasverysmall;

butsmallasitwasithadalleviatedmyhunger;andIwasnowtorturedwithremorse，becauseIhadnotsharedthemeagermorselwithmyfellow—sufferers。MissHerbey，Andre，hisfather，allhadbeenforgotten，andfromthebot—

tomofmyheartIrepentedofmycruelselfishness。

Meantimethemoonrosehighintheheavens，andthefirststreaksofdawnappeared。Thereisnotwilightintheselowlatitudes，andthefulldaylightcamewellnighatonce。Ihadnotclosedmyeyessincemyencounterwiththesteward，andeversincethefirstblushofdayIhadlaboredundertheimpressionthatIcouldseesomeunusualdarkmasshalfwayupthemast。Butalthoughitagainandagaincaughtmyeye，ithardlyrousedmycuriosity，andIdidnotrisefromthebundleofsailsonwhichIwaslyingtoascertainwhatitreallywas。ButnosoonerdidtheraysofthesunfalluponitthanIsawatoncethatitwasthebodyofaman，attachedtoarope，andswingingtoandfrowiththemotionoftheraft。

Ahorriblepresentimentcarriedmetothefootofthemast，and，justasIhadguessed，Hobarthadhangedhim—

self。IcouldnotforamomentdoubtthatitwasImyselfthathadimpelledhimtothesuicide。Acryofhorrorhadscarcelyescapedmylips，whenmyfellow—passengerswereatmyside，andtheropewascut。Thencamethesailors。

Andwhatwasitthatmadethegroupgathersoeagerlyaroundthebody？Wasitahumanedesiretoseewhetheranysparksofliferemained？No，indeed;thecorpsewascold，andthelimbswererigid;therewasnochancethatanimationshouldberestored。Whatthenwasitthatkeptthemlingeringsoclosearound？Itwasonlytooapparentwhattheywereabouttodo。

ButIdidnot，couldnot，look。Irefusedtotakepartinthehorriblerepastthatwasproposed。NeitherwouldMissHerbey，Andre，norhisfather，consenttoalleviatetheirpangsofhungerbysuchrevoltingmeans。IknownothingforcertainastowhatCurtisdid，andIdidnotventuretoinquire;butoftheothers，——Falsten，Dowlas，theboatswain，andalltherest，——Iknowthat，toassuagetheircravings，theyconsentedtoreducethemselvestothelevelofbeastsofprey;theyweretransformedfromhumanbeingsintoravenousbrutes。

Thefourofuswhosickenedattheideaofpartakingofthehorridmealwithdrewtotheseclusionofourtent;

itwasbadenoughtohear，withoutwitnessingtheappallingoperation。But，intruth，IhadthegreatestdifficultyintheworldinpreventingAndrefromrushingoutuponthecan—

nibals，andsnatchingtheodiousfoodfromtheirclutches。

Irepresentedtohimthehopelessnessofhisattempt，andtriedtoreconcilehimbytellinghimthatiftheylikedthefoodtheyhadarighttoit。Hobarthadnotbeenmur—

dered;hehaddiedbyhisownhand;and，afterall，astheboatswainhadonceremarkedtome，\"Itwasbettertoeatadeadmanthanaliveone。\"

DowhatIwould，however，IcouldnotquietAndre’sfeelingofabhorrence;inhisdisgustandloathingheseemedforthetimetohavequiteforgottenhisownsufferings。

Meanwhile，therewasnoconcealingthetruththatwewereourselvesdyingofstarvation，whileoureightcom—

panionswouldprobably，bytheirloathsomediet，escapethatfrightfuldestiny。OwingtohissecrethoardofprovisionsHobarthadbeenbyfarthestrongestamongus;hehadbeensupported，sothatnoorganicdiseasehadaffectedhistissues，andreallymightbesaidtobeingoodhealthwhenhischagrindrovehimtohisdesperatesuicide。ButwhatwasIthinkingof！whitherweremymeditationscarryingmeaway？wasitnotcomingtopassthatthecannibalswererousingmyenvyinsteadofexcitingmyhorror？

VeryshortlyafterthisIheardDowlastalkingaboutthepossibilityofobtainingsaltbyevaporatingseawaterinthesun;\"andthen，\"headded，\"wecansaltdowntherest。\"

Theboatswainassentedtowhatthecarpenterhadsaid，andprobablythesuggestionwasadopted。

Silence，themostprofound，nowreignsupontheraft。I

presumethatnearlyallhavegonetosleep。OnethingI

doknow，thattheyarenolongerhungry。

CHAPTERXLVIII

HOBART’SBODYSTOLEN

JANUARY19。——Allthroughthedaytheskyremainedun—

cloudedandtheheatintense;andnightcameonwithoutbringingmuchsensiblemoderationinthetemperature。I

wasunabletogetanysleep，and，towardmorning，wasdis—

turbedbyhearinganangryclamorgoingonoutsidethetent;itarousedM。Letourneur，Andre，andMissHerbey，asmuchasmyself，andwewereanxioustoascertainthecauseofthetumult。

Theboatswain，Dowlas，andallthesailorswerestormingateachotherinfrightfulrage;andCurtis，whohadcomeforwardfromthestern，wasendeavoringtopacifythem。

\"Butwhohasdoneit？wemustknowwhohasdoneit，\"

saidDowlas，scowlingwithvindictivepassiononthegrouparoundhim。

\"There’sathief，\"howledouttheboatswain，\"andheshallbefound！Let’sknowwhohastakenit。\"

\"Ihaven’ttakenit！\"\"NorI！NorI！\"criedthesailorsoneafteranother。

Andthentheysettoworkagaintoransackeveryquarteroftheraft;theyrolledeverysparaside，theyoverturnedeverythingonboard，andonlygrewmoreandmoreincensedwithangerastheirsearchprovedfruitless。\"

\"CanYOUtellus，\"saidtheboatswain，cominguptome，\"whoisthethief？\"

\"Thief！\"Ireplied。\"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean。\"

Andwhilewewerespeakingtheothersallcameupto—

gether，andtoldmethattheyhadlookedeverywhereelse，andthattheyweregoingnowtosearchthetent。

\"Shame！\"Isaid。\"Yououghttoallowthosewhomyouknowtobedyingofhungeratleasttodieinpeace。

Thereisnotoneofuswhohasleftthetentallnight。Whysuspectus？\"

\"Nowjustlookhere，Mr。Kazallon，\"saidtheboatswain，inavoicewhichhewasendeavoringtocalmdownintomoderation，\"wearenotaccusingyouofanything;weknowwellenoughyou，andalltherestofyou，hadarighttoyoursharesasmuchasanybody;butthatisn’tit。It’sallgonesomewhere，everybit。\"

\"Yes，\"saidSandongruffly;\"it’sallgonesomewheres，andwearegoingtosearchthetent。\"

Resistancewasuseless，andMissHerbey，M。Letourneur，andAndrewereallturnedout。

IconfessIwasveryfearful。Ihadastrongsuspicionthatforthesakeofhisson，forwhomhewasreadytoven—

tureanything，M。Letourneurhadcommittedthetheft;inthatcaseIknewthatnothingwouldhavepreventedthein—

furiatedmenfromtearingthedevotedfathertopieces。I

beckonedtoCurtisforprotection，andhecameandstoodbesideme。Hesaidnothing，butwaitedwithhishandsinhispockets，andIthinkIamnotmistakeninmybeliefthattherewassomesortofaweaponineach。

Tomygreatreliefthesearchwasineffectual。Therewasnodoubtthatthecarcassofthesuicidehadbeenthrownoverboard，andtherageofthedisappointedcannibalsknewnobounds。

Yetwhohadventuredtodothedeed？IlookedatM。

LetourneurandMissHerbey;buttheircountenancesatoncebetrayedtheirignorance。Andreturnedhisfaceaway，andhiseyesdidnotmeetmyown。Probablyitishe;but，ifitbe，Iwonderwhetherhehasreckoneduptheconsequencesofsorashanact。

CHAPTERXLIX

THENEGROBECOMESINSANE

JANUARY20to22。——Forthedayortwoafterthehor—

riblerepastofthe18ththosewhohadpartakenofitap—

pearedtosuffercomparativelylittleeitherfromhungerorthirst;butforthefourofuswhohadtastednothing，theagonyofsufferinggrewmoreandmoreintense。Itwasenoughtomakeusrepineoverthelossoftheprovisionthathadsomysteriouslygone;andifanyoneofusshoulddie，Idoubtwhetherthesurvivorswouldasecondtimeresistthetemptationtoassuagetheirpangsbytastinghumanflesh。

Beforelong，allthecravingsofhungerbegantoreturntothesailors，andIcouldseetheireyesgreedilyglancinguponus，starvedastheyknewustobe，asthoughtheywerereck—

oningourhours，andalreadywerepreparingtoconsumeusastheirprey。

Asisalwaysthecasewithshipwreckedmen，weweretormentedbythirstfarmorethanbyhunger;andif，intheheightofoursufferings，wehadbeenofferedourchoicebe—

tweenafewdropsofwaterandafewcrumbsofbiscuit，I

donotdoubtthatweshould，withoutexception，havepre—

ferredtotakethewater。

Andwhatamockerytoourconditiondiditseemthatallthiswhiletherewaswater，water，nothingbutwater，every—

wherearoundus！Againandagain，incapableofcompre—

hendinghowpowerlessitwastorelieveme，Iputafewdropswithinmylips，butonlywiththeinvariableresultofbringingonamosttryingnausea，andrenderingmythirstmoreunendurablethanbefore。

Forty—twodayshadpassedsincewequittedthesinkingChancellor。Therecouldbenohopenow;allofusmustdie，andbythemostdeplorableofdeaths。Iwasquitecon—

sciousthatamistwasgatheringovermybrain;Ifeltmysensessinkingintoaconditionoftorpor;Imadeaneffort，butallinvain，tomasterthedeliriumthatIwasawarewastakingpossessionofmyreason。ItisoutofmypowertodecideforhowlongIlostmyconsciousness;butwhenI

cametomyselfIfoundthatMissHerbeyhadfoldedsomewetbandagesaroundmyforehead。Iamsomewhatbetter;

butIamweakened，mindandbody，andIamconsciousthatIhavenotlongtolive。

Afrightfulfatalityoccurredto—day。Thescenewaster—

rible。Jynxstropthenegrowentravingmad。Curtisandseveralofthementriedtheirutmosttocontrolhim，butinspiteofeverythinghebrokeloose，andtoreupanddowntheraft，utteringfearfulyells。Hehadgainedpossessionofahandspike，andrusheduponusallwiththeferocityofaninfuriatedtiger;howwecontrivedtoescapemischieffromhisattacks，Iknownot。Allatonce，byoneofthoseun—

accountableimpulsesofmadness，hisrageturnedagainsthimself。Withhisteethandnailshegnawedandtoreawayathisownflesh;dashingthebloodintoourfaces，heshriekedoutwithademoniacalgrin，\"Drink，drink！\"andflingingusgorymorsels，keptsaying\"Eat，eat！\"Inthemidstofhisinsaneshriekshemadeasuddenpause，thendashingbackagainfromthesterntothefront，hemadeaboundanddisappearedbeneaththewaves。

Falsten，Dowlas，andtheboatswain，madearushthatatleasttheymightsecurethebody;butitwastoolate;allthattheycouldseewasacrimsoncircleinthewater，andsomehugesharksdisportingthemselvesaroundthespot。

CHAPTERL

ALLHOPEGONE

JANUARY23。——Onlyelevenofusnowremain;andtheprobabilityisverygreatthateverydaymustnowcarryoffatleastitsonevictim，andperhapsmore。Theendofthetragedyisrapidlyapproaching，andsaveforthechance，whichisnexttoanimpossibility，ofoursightingland，orbeingpickedupbyapassingvessel，ereanotherweekhaselapsednotasinglesurvivoroftheChancellorwillremain。

Thewindfreshenedconsiderablyinthenight，anditisnowblowingprettybrisklyfromthenortheast。Ithasfilledoursail，andthewhitefoaminourwakeisanindicationthatwearemakingsomeprogress。Thecaptainreckonsthatwemustbeadvancingattherateofaboutthreemilesanhour。

CurtisandFalstenarecertainlyinthebestconditionamongus，andinspiteoftheirextremeemaciationtheybearupwonderfullyundertheprotractedhardshipswehaveallendured。WordscannotdescribethemelancholystatetowhichpoorMissHerbeybodilyisreduced;herwholebeingseemsabsorbedintohersoul，butthatsoulisbraveandresoluteasever，livinginheavenratherthanonearth。Theboatswain，strong，energeticmanthathewas，hasshrunkintoamereshadowofhisformerself，andIdoubtwhetheranyonewouldrecognizehimtobethesameman。Hekeepsperpetuallytoonecorneroftheraft，hisheaddroppeduponhischest，andhislong，bonyhandslyinguponkneesthatprojectsharplyfromhisworn—outtrowsers。UnlikeMissHerbey，hisspiritseemstohavesunkintoapathy，anditisattimesdifficulttobelievethatheislivingatall，somotion—

lessandstatue—likedoeshesit。

Silencecontinuestoreignupontheraft。Notasound，notevenagroan，escapesourlips。Wedonotexchangetenwordsinthecourseoftheday，andthefewsyllablesthatourparchedtonguesandswollenlipscanpronouncearealmostunintelligible。Wastedandbloodless，wearenolongerhumanbeings;wearespecters。

CHAPTERLI

FLAYPOLEBECOMESDELIRIOUS

JANUARY24。——1haveinquiredmorethanonceofCurtisifhehasthefaintestideatowhatquarteroftheAtlanticwehavedrifted，andeachtimehehasbeenunabletogivemeadecidedanswer，thoughfromhisgeneralobservationofthedirectionofthewindandcurrentsheimaginesthatwehavebeencarriedwestward，thatistosay，towardtheland。

To—daythebreezehasdroppedentirely，buttheheavyswellisstilluponthesea，andisanunquestionablesignthatatempesthasbeenragingatnogreatdistance。Theraftlaborshardagainstthewaves，andCurtis，Falsten，andtheboatswain，employthelittleenergythatremainstotheminstrengtheningthejoints。Whydotheygivethemselvessuchtrouble？Whynotletthefewfrailplankspartasunder，andallowtheoceantoterminateourmiserableex—

istence？Certainitseemsthatoursufferingsmusthavereachedtheirutmostlimit，andnothingcouldexceedthetorturethatweareenduring。Theskypoursdownuponusaheatlikethatofmoltenlead，andthesweatthatsaturatesthetatteredclothesthathangaboutourbodiesgoesfartoaggravatetheagoniesofourthirst。Nowordsofminecandescribethisdiredistress;thesesufferingsarebeyondhumanestimate。

Evenbathing，theonlymeansofrefreshmentthatwepossessed，hasnowbecomeimpossible，foreversinceJynx—

strop’sdeaththesharkshavehungabouttheraftinshoals。

To—dayItriedtogainafewdropsoffreshwaterbyevaporation，butevenwiththeexerciseofthegreatestpa—

tience，itwaswiththeutmostdifficultythatIobtainedenoughtomoistenalittlescrapoflinen;andtheonlykettlethatwehadwassooldandbattered，thatitwouldnotbearthefire，sothatIwasobligedtogiveuptheattemptinde—

spair。

Falstenisnowalmostexhausted，andifhesurvivesusatall，itcanonlybeforafewdays。WheneverIraisedmyheadIalwaysfailedtoseehim，buthewasprobablylyingshelteredsomewherebeneaththesails。Curtiswastheonlymanwhoremainedonhisfeet，butwithindomitablepluckhecontinuedtostandonthefrontoftheraft，waiting，watching，hoping。Tolookathim，withhisunflaggingenergy，almosttemptedmetoimaginethathedidwelltohope，butIdarednotentertainonesanguinethought，andthereIlay，waiting，nay，longingfordeath。

HowmanyhourspassedawaythusIcannottell，butafteratimealoudpealoflaughterburstuponmyear。Someoneelse，then，wasgoingmad，Ithought;buttheideadidnotrousemeintheleast。Thelaughterwasrepeatedwithgreatervehemence，butIneverraisedmyhead。PresentlyIcaughtafewincoherentwords。

\"Fields，fields，gardensandtrees！Look，there’saninnunderthetrees！Quick，quick！brandy，gin，water！aguineaadrop！I’llpayforit！I’velotsofmoney！lots！lots！\"

Poordeludedwretch！Ithoughtagain;thewealthofanationcouldnotbuyadropofwaterhere。Therewassilenceforaminute，whenallofasuddenIheardtheshoutof\"Land！land！\"

Thewordsacteduponmelikeanelectricshock，and，withafranticeffort，Istartedtomyfeet。Noland，indeed，wasvisible，butFlaypole，laughing，singing，andgesticulating，wasragingupanddowntheraft。Sight，taste，andhear—

ing——allweregone;butthecerebralderangementsuppliedtheirplace，andinimaginationthemaniacwasconversingwithabsentfriends，invitingthemintotheGeorgeInnatCardiff，offeringthemgin，whiskey，and，aboveall，water！

Stumblingateverystep，andsinginginacracked，discordantvoice，hestaggeredaboutamonguslikeanintoxicatedman。

Withthelossofhissensesallhissufferingshadvanished，andhisthirstwasappeased。Itwashardnottowishtobeapartakerofhishallucination。

Dowlas，Falsten，andtheboatswain，seemedtothinkthattheunfortunatewretchwould，likeJynxstrop，putanendtohimselfbyleapingintothesea;but，determinedthistimetopreservethebody，thatitmightserveabetterpurposethanmerelyfeedingthesharks，theyroseandfollowedthemadmaneverywherehewent，keepingastricteyeuponhiseverymovement。

Butthematterdidnotendastheyexpected。Asthoughhewerereallyintoxicatedbythestimulantsofwhichhehadbeenraving，Flaypoleatlastsankdowninaheapinacor—

neroftheraft，wherehelaylostinaheavyslumber。

CHAPTERLII

IDECIDETOCOMMITSUICIDE

JANUARY25。——Lastnightwasverymisty，andforsomeunaccountablereason，oneofthehottestthatcanbeimagined。Theatmospherewasreallysostifling，thatitseemedasifitonlyrequiredasparktosetitalight。Theraftwasnotonlyquitestationary，butdidnotevenriseandfallwithanymotionofthewaves。

DuringthenightItriedtocounthowmanytherewerenowonboard，butIwasutterlyunabletocollectmyideassufficientlytomaketheenumeration。SometimesIcountedten，sometimestwelve，andalthoughIknewthateleven，sinceJynxstropwasdead，wasthecorrectnumber，Icouldneverbringmyreckoningright。OfonethingIfeltquitesure，andthatwasthatthenumberwouldverysoonbeten。

IwasconvincedthatIcouldmyselflastbutverylittlelonger。Alltheeventsandassociationsofmylifepassedrapidlythroughmybrain。Mycountry，myfriends，andmyfamilyallappearedasitwereinavision，andseemedasthoughtheyhadcometobidmealastfarewell。

TowardmorningIwokefrommysleep，ifthelanguidstuporintowhichIhadfallenwasworthyofthatname。

Onefixedideahadtakenpossessionofmybrain——Iwouldputanendtomyself;andIfeltasortofpleasureasI

gloatedoverthepowerthatIhadtoterminatemysuffer—

ings。ItoldCurtis，withtheutmostcomposure，ofmyin—

tention，andhereceivedtheintelligenceascalmlyasitwasdelivered。

\"Ofcourseyouwilldoasyouplease，\"hesaid;\"formyownpart，Ishallnotabandonmypost。Itismydutytoremainhere;andunlessdeathcomestocarrymeaway，I

shallstaywhereIamtotheverylast。\"

Thedullgrayfogstillhungheavilyovertheocean，butthesunwasevidentlyshiningabovethemist，andwould，incourseoftime，dispelthevapor。Towardseveno’clockI

fanciedIheardthecriesofbirdsabovemyhead。Thesoundwasrepeatedthreetimes，andasIwentuptothecap—

taintoaskhimaboutit，Iheardhimmuttertohimself：

\"Birds！Why，thatlooksasiflandwerenotfaroff。\"

ButalthoughCurtismightstillclingtothehopeofreach—

ingland，Iknewnotwhatitwastohaveonesanguinethought。Formetherewasneithercontinentnorisland;

theworldwasonefluidsphere，uniform，monotonous，asinthemostprimitiveperiodofitsformation。Neverthelessitmustbeownedthatitwaswithacertainamountofim—

patiencethatIawaitedtherisingofthemist，forIwasanxioustoshakeoffthephantomfallaciesthatCurtis’swordshadsuggestedtomymind。

Nottilleleveno’clockdidthefogbegintobreak，andasitrolledinheavyfoldsalongthesurfaceofthewater，I

couldeverynowandthencatchglimpsesofaclearblueskybeyond。Fiercesunbeamspiercedthecloud—rifts，scorchingandburningourbodieslikered—hotiron;butitwasonlyaboveourheadsthattherewasanysunlighttocondensethevapor;thehorizonwasstillquiteinvisible。Therewasnowind，andforhalfanhourlongerthefoghungheavilyroundtheraft，whileCurtis，leaningagainsttheside，strovetopenetratetheobscurity。Atlengththesunburstforthinfullpower，and，sweepingthesurfaceoftheocean，dispelledthefogandleftthehorizonopentooureyes。

There，exactlyaswehadseenitforthelastsixweeks，wasthecirclethatboundedseaandsky——unbroken，definite，distinctasever！Curtisgazedwithintensestscrutiny，butdidnotspeakaword。Ipitiedhimsincerely，forhealoneofusallfeltthathehadnottherighttoputanendtohismisery。Formyself，IhadfullydeterminedthatifIlivedtillthefollowingday，Iwoulddiebymyownhand。

Whethermycompanionswerestillalive，Ihardlycaredtoknow;itseemedasthoughdayshadpassedsinceIhadseenthem。

Nightdrewon，butIcouldnotsleepforamoment。To—

wardtwoo’clockinthemorningmythirstwassointensethatIwasunabletosuppressloudcriesofagony。Wastherenothingthatwouldservetoquenchthefirethatwasburningwithinme？Whatif，insteadofdrinkingthebloodofothers，Iweretodrinkmyown？Itwouldbeallun—

availing，Iwaswellaware;butscarcelyhadthethoughtcrossedmymind，thanIproceededtoputitintoexecution。

Iunclaspedmyknife，and，strippingmyarm，withasteadythrustIopenedasmallvein。Thebloodoozedoutslowly，dropbydrop，andasIeagerlyswallowedthesourceofmyverylife，Ifeltthatforamomentmytormentswerere—

lieved。Butonlyforamoment;allenergyhadfailedmypulses，andalmostimmediatelythebloodhadceasedtoflow。

Howlongitseemedbeforethemorningdawned！andwhenthatmorningcameitbroughtanotherfog，heavyasbefore，thatagainshutoutthehorizon。Thefogwashotastheburningsteamthatissuesfromaboiler。Itwastobemylastdayuponearth，andIfeltthatIshouldliketopressthehandofafriendbeforeIdied。Curtiswasstand—

ingnear，andcrawlinguptohim，Itookhishandinmyown。HeseemedtoknowthatIwastakingmyfarewell，andwithonelastlingeringhopeheendeavoredtorestrainme。Butallinvain;mymindwasfinallymadeup。

IshouldhavelikedtospeakonceagaintoM。Letourneur，Andre，andMissHerbey，butmycouragefailedme。I

knewthattheyounggirlwouldreadmyresolutioninmyeyes，andthatshewouldspeaktomeofduty，andofGod，andofeternity，andIdarednotmeethergaze;andIwouldnotruntheriskofbeingpersuadedtowaituntilalingeringdeathshouldovertakeme。Ireturnedtothebackoftheraft，andaftermakingseveralefforts，Imanagedtogetontomyfeet。Icastonelonglookatthepitilessoceanandtheunbrokenhorizon;ifasailortheoutlineofacoasthadbrokenonmyview，IbelievethatIshouldonlyhavedeemedmyselfthevictimofanillusion;butnothingofthekindappeared，andtheseawasdrearyasadesert。

Itwasteno’clockinthemorning。Thepangsofhungerandthetormentsofthirstwererackingmewithredoubledvigor。Allinstinctofself—preservationhadleftme，andIfeltthatthehourhadcomewhenImustceasetosuffer。

JustasIwasonthepointofcastingmyselfheadlongintothesea，avoice，whichIrecognizedasDowlas’s，brokeuponmyear。

\"Captain，\"hesaid，\"wearegoingtodrawlots。\"

InvoluntarilyIpaused;Ididnottakemyplunge，butreturnedtomyplaceupontheraft。

CHAPTERLIII

WEDECIDETODRAWLOTS

JANUARY26。——Allheardandunderstoodtheproposition;

infactithadbeenincontemplationforseveraldays，butnoonehadventuredtoputtheideaintowords。However，itwasdonenow;lotsweretobedrawn，andtoeachwouldbeassignedhisshareofthebodyoftheoneordainedbyfatetobethevictim。Formyownpart，IprofessthatIwasquiteresignedforthelottofalluponmyself。IthoughtIheardAndreLetourneurbegforanexceptiontobemadeinfavorofMissHerbey;butthesailorsraisedamurmurofdissent。

Astherewereelevenofusonboard，thereweretenchancestooneineachone’sfavor——aproportionwhichwouldbediminishedifMissHerbeywereexcluded;sothattheyoungladywasforcedtotakeherchanceamongtherest。

Itwasthenhalf—pastten，andtheboatswain，whohadbeenrousedfromhislethargybywhatthecarpenterhadsaid，insistedthatthedrawingshouldtakeplaceimmediately。

Therewasnoreasonfordelayingthefatallottery。Therewasnotoneofusthatclungintheleasttolife;andweknewthat，attheworst，whoevershouldbedoomedtodie，wouldonlyprecedetherestbyafewdays，orevenhours。

Allthatwedesiredwasjustoncetoslakeourragingthirstandmoderateourgnawinghunger。

HowallthenamesfoundtheirwaytothebottomofahatIcannottell。VerylikelyFalstenwrotethemuponaleaftornfromhismemorandum—book。Butbethatasitmay，theelevennameswerethere，anditwasunanimouslyagreedthatthelastnamedrawnshouldbethevictim。

Butwhowoulddrawthenames？Therewashesitationforamoment;then\"Iwill，\"saidavoicebehindme。Turn—

inground，IbeheldM。Letourneurstandingwithout—

stretchedhand，andwithhislongwhitehairfallingoverhisthinlividfacethatwasalmostsublimeinitscalmness。I

divinedatoncethereasonofthisvoluntaryoffer;Iknewthatitwasthefather’sdevotioninself—sacrificethatledhimtoundertaketheoffice。

\"Assoonasyouplease，\"saidtheboatswain。

M。Letourneurproceededtodrawoutthefoldedstripsofpaper，onebyone，and，afterreadingoutloudthenameuponit，handedittoitsowner。

ThefirstnamecalledwasthatofBurke，whoutteredacryofdelight;thenfollowedFlaypoleandtheboatswain。

WhathisnamereallywasInevercouldexactlylearn。

ThencameFalsten，Curtis，Sandon。Morethanhalfhadnowbeencalled，andmynamehadnotyetbeendrawn。

Icalculatedmyremainingchance;itwasstillfourtooneinmyfavor。

M。Letourneurcontinuedhispainfultask。SinceBurke’sfirstexclamationofjoynotasoundhadescapedourlips，butallwerelisteninginbreathlesssilence。TheseventhnamewasMissHerbey’s，buttheyounggirlhearditwith—

outastart。Thencamemine，yes，mine！andtheninthwaswasthatofLetourneur。

\"Whichone？\"askedtheboatswain。

\"Andre，\"saidM。Letourneur。

WithonecryAndrefellbacksenseless。Onlytwonamesnowremainedinthehat——thoseofDowlasandM。Letour—

neurhimself。

\"Goon！\"almostroaredthecarpenter，surveyinghispartnerinperilasthoughhecoulddevourhim。M。Le—

tourneuralmosthadasmileuponhislips，ashedrewforththelastpaperbutone，andwithafirm，unfalteringvoice，marvelousforhisage，unfoldeditslowly，andreadthenameofDowlas。Thecarpentergaveayellofreliefasheheardtheword。

M。Letourneurtookthelastbitofpaperfromthehat，and，withoutlookingatit，toreittopieces。But，unper—

ceivedbyallbutmyself，onelittlefragmentflewintoacorneroftheraft。Icrawledtowarditandpickeditup。

OnonesideofitwaswrittenAndr——;therestofthewordwastornaway。M。LetourneursawwhatIhaddone，and，rushingtowardme，snatchedthepaperfrommyhands，andflungitintothesea。

CHAPTERLIV

MISSHERBEYPLEADSFORONEDAYMORE

JANUARY26。——Iunderstooditall;thedevotedfatherhav—

ingnothingmoretogive，hadgivenhislifeforhisson。

M。Letourneurwasnolongerahumanbeingintheeyesofthefamishedcreatureswhowerenowyearningtoseehimsacrificedtotheircravings。Attheverysightofthevictimthusprovided，allthetorturesofhungerreturnedwithredoubledviolence。Withlipsdistended，andteethdis—

played，theywaitedlikeaherdofcarnivorauntiltheycouldattacktheirpreywithbrutalvoracity;itseemedalmostdoubtfulwhethertheywouldnotfalluponhimwhilestillalive。Itseemedimpossiblethatanyappealtotheirhuman—

itycould，atsuchamoment，haveanyweight;nevertheless，theappealwasmade，and，incredibleasitmayseem，pre—

vailed。

Justastheboatswainwasabouttoactthepartofbutcher，andDowlasstood，hatchetinhand，readytocompletethebarbarouswork，MissHerbeyadvanced，orrathercrawled，towardthem。

\"Myfriends，\"shepleaded，\"willyounotwaitjustonemoreday？Ifnolandorshipisinsightto—morrow，thenIsupposeourpoorcompanionmustbecomeyourvictim。

Butallowhimonemoreday;inthenameofmercyIen—

treat，Iimploreyou。\"

Myheartboundedasshemadeherpitifulappeal。Itseemedtomeasthoughthenoblegirlhadspokenwithaninspirationonherlips，andIfanciedthat，perhaps，insuper—

naturalvisionshehadviewedthecoastortheshipofwhichshespoke;andonemoredaywasnotmuchtouswhohadalreadysufferedsolong，andenduredsomuch。

CurtisandFalstenagreedwithme，andweallunitedtosupportMissHerbey’smercifulpetition。Thesailorsdidnotutteramurmur，andtheboatswaininasmotheredvoicesaid：

\"Verywell，wewillwaittilldaybreakto—morrow，\"andthrewdownhishatchet。

To—morrow，then，unlesslandorasailappear，thehorriblesacrificewillbeaccomplished。Stiflingtheirsufferingsbyastrenuouseffort，allreturnedtotheirplaces。Thesailorscrouchedbeneaththesails，caringnothingaboutscanningtheocean。Foodwasinstoreforthemto—morrow，andthatwasenoughforthem。

AssoonasAndreLetourneurcametohissenses，hisfirstthoughtwasforhisfather，andIsawhimcountthepas—

sengersontheraft。Helookedpuzzled;whenhelostcon—

sciousnesstherehadbeenonlytwonamesleftinthehat，thoseofhisfatherandthecarpenter;andyetM。LetourneurandDowlaswereboththerestill。MissHerbeywentuptohimandtoldhimquietlythatthedrawingofthelotshadnotyetbeenfinished。Andreaskednofurtherques—

tion，buttookhisfather’shand。M。Letourneur’scounte—

nancewascalmandserene;heseemedtobeconsciousofnothingexceptthatthelifeofhissonwasspared，andasthetwosatconversinginanundertoneatthebackoftheraft，theirwholeexistenceseemedboundupineachother。

Meantime，Icouldnotdisabusemymindoftheimpres—

sioncausedbyMissHerbey’sintervention。Somethingtoldmethathelpwasnearathand，andthatwewereapproach—

ingtheterminationofoursuspenseandmisery;thechimerasthatwerefloatingthroughmybrainresolvedthemselvesintorealities，sothatnothingappearedtomemorecertainthanthateitherlandorsail，betheymilesaway，wouldbedis—

coveredsomewheretoleeward。

IimpartedmyconvictionstoM。Letourneurandhisson。

Andrewasassanguineasmyself;poorboy！helittlethinkswhatalossthereisinstoreforhimto—morrow。Hisfatherlistenedgravelytoallwesaid，andwhateverhemightthinkinhisownmind，hedidnotgiveusanydiscouragement;

Heaven，hesaid，hewassurewouldstillsparethesurvivorsoftheChancellor，andthenhelavishedonhissoncaresseswhichhedeemedtobehislast。

Sometimeafterward，whenIwasalonewithhim，M。

Letourneurwhisperedinmyear：

\"Mr。Kazallon，Icommendmyboytoyourcare，andmarkyou，hemustneverknow——\"

Hisvoicewaschokedwithtears，andhecouldnotfinishhissentence。

ButIwasfullofhope，and，withoutamoment’sinter—

mission，Ikeptmyeyesfixedupontheunbrokenhorizon。

Curtis，MissHerbey，Falsten，andeventheboatswain，werealsoeagerlyscanningthebroadexpanseofthesea。

Nighthascomeon;butIhavestillaprofoundconvictionthatthroughthedarknesssomeshipwillapproach，andthatatdaybreakourraftwillbeobserved。

CHAPTERLV

FRESHWATER

JANUARY27。——Ididnotclosemyeyesallnight，andwaskeenlyalivetothefaintestsounds，andeveryrippleofthewater，andeverymurmurofthewaves，brokedistinctlyonmyear。OnethingInoticedandacceptedasahappyomen;

notasinglesharknowlingeredroundtheraft。Thewan—

ingmoonroseataquartertoone，andthroughthefeebleglimmerwhichshecastacrosstheocean，manyandmanyatimeIfanciedIcaughtsightofthelonged—forsail，lyingonlyafewcables’—lengthsaway。

Butwhenmorningcame，thesunroseonceagainuponadesertocean，andmyhopesbegantofade。Neithershipnorshorehadappeared，andastheshockinghourofexecu—

tiondrewnear，mydreamsofdeliverancemeltedaway;I

shudderedinmyverysoulasIwasbroughtfacetofacewiththesternreality。Idarednotlookuponthevictim，andwheneverhiseyes，sofullofcalmnessandresignation，metmyown，Iturnedawaymyhead。Ifeltchokedwithhorror，andmybrainreeledasthoughIwereintoxi—

cated。

Itwasnowsixo’clock，andallhopehadvanishedfrommybreast;myheartbeatrapidly，andacoldsweatofagonybrokeoutalloverme。Curtisandtheboatswainstoodbythemastattentivelyscanningthehorizon。Theboatswain’scountenancewasterribletolookupon;onecouldseethatalthoughhewouldnotforestallthehour，hewasdeterminednottowaitamomentafteritarrived。Asforthecaptain，itwasimpossibletotellwhatreallypassedwithinhismind;

hisfacewaslivid，andhiswholeexistenceseemedconcen—

tratedintheexerciseofhispowerofvision。Thesailorswerecrawlingabouttheplatform，withtheireyesgleaming，likethewildbeastsreadytopounceupontheirdevotedprey。

Icouldnolongerkeepmyplace，andglidedalongtothefrontoftheraft。Theboatswainwasstillstandingintentonhiswatch，butallofasudden，inavoicethatmademestart，heshouted：

\"Nowthen，time’sup！\"andfollowedbyDowlas，Burke，Flaypole，andSandon，rantothebackoftheraft。AsDowlasseizedthehatchetconvulsively，MissHerbeycouldnotsuppressacryofterror。Andrestartedtohisfeet。

\"Whatareyougoingtodotomyfather？\"heaskedinaccentschokedwithemotion。

\"Myboy，\"saidM。Letourneur，\"thelothasfallenuponme，andImustdie！\"

\"Never！\"shriekedAndre，throwinghisarmsabouthisfather。\"Theyshallkillmefirst。ItwasIwhothrewHobart’sbodyintothesea，anditisIwhooughttodie！\"

Butthewordsoftheunhappyyouthhadnoothereffectthantoincreasethefuryofthemenwhoweresostanchlybentupontheirbloodypurpose。

\"Come，come，nomorefuss，\"saidDowlas，ashetoretheyoungmanawayfromhisfather’sembrace。

Andrefelluponhisback，inwhichpositiontwoofthesailorsheldhimdownsotightlythathecouldnotmove，whileBurkeandSandoncarriedofftheirvictimtothefront。

AllthishadtakenplacemuchmorerapidlythanIhavebeenabletodescribeit。Iwastransfixedwithhorror，andmuchasIwishedtothrowmyselfbetweenM。Letourneurandhisexecutioners，IseemedtoberootedtothespotwhereIwasstanding。

MeantimethesailorshadbeentakingoffsomeofM。

Letourneur’sclothes，andhisneckandshoulderswereal—

readybare。

\"Stopamoment！\"hesaidinatoneinwhichwastheringofindomitablecourage。\"Stop！Idon’twanttode—

priveyouofyourration;butIsupposeyouwillnotrequiretoeatthewholeofmeto—day。\"

Thesailors，takenbackbyhissuggestion，staredathimwithamazement。

\"Therearetenofyou，\"hewenton。\"Mytwoarmswillgiveyoueachameal;cutthemoffforto—day，andto—

morrowyoushallhavetherestofme。\"

\"Agreed！\"criedDowlas;andasM。Letourneurheldouthisbarearms，quickaslightningthecarpenterraisedhishatchet。

CurtisandIcouldbearthisscenenolonger;whilewewerealivetopreventit，thisbutcheryshouldnotbeper—

mitted，andwerushedforwardsimultaneouslytosnatchthevictimfromhismurderers。Afuriousstruggleensued，andinthemidstofthemelee，Iwasseizedbyoneofthesailors，andhurledviolentlyintothesea。

Closingmylips，Itriedtodieofsuffocationinthewater;

butinspiteofmyself，mymouthopened，andafewdropstrickleddownmythroat。

MercifulHeaven！thewaterwasfresh！

CHAPTERLVI

NEARTHECOASTOFSOUTHAMERICA

JANUARY27continued。——Achangecameovermeasifbymiracle。NolongerhadIanywishtodie，andalreadyCurtis，whohadheardmycries，wasthrowingmearope。

Iseizediteagerly，andwashauledupontotheraft。

\"Freshwater！\"werethefirstwordsIuttered。

\"Freshwater？\"criedCurtis;\"whythen，myfriends，wearenotfarfromland！\"

Itwasnottoolate：theblowhadnotbeenstruck，andsothevictimhadnotyetfallen。CurtisandAndre（whohadregainedhisliberty）hadfoughtwiththecannibals，anditwasjustastheywereyieldingtoover—poweringnumbersthatmyvoicehadmadeitselfheard。

Thestrugglecametoanend。Assoonasthewords\"freshwater\"hadescapedmylips，Ileanedoverthesideoftheraftandswallowedthelife—givingliquidingreedydraughts。MissHerbeywasthefirsttofollowmyexample，butsoonCurtis，Falsten，andalltherestwereontheirkneesanddrinkingeagerly。Theroughsailorsseemedasifbyamagictouchtransformedbackfromravenousbeaststohumanbeings，andIsawseveralofthemraisetheirhandstoheaveninsilentgratitude。Andreandhisfatherwerethelasttodrink。

\"Butwherearewe？\"Iaskedatlength。

\"Thelandisthere，\"saidCurtis，pointingtowardthewest。

Weallstaredatthecaptainasthoughheweremockingus：nolandwasinsight，andtheraft，justasever，wasthecenterofawaterywaste。Yetoursenseshadnotdeceivedus;thewaterwehadbeendrinkingwasperfectlyfresh。

\"Yes，\"repeatedthecaptain，\"landiscertainlythere，notmorethantwentymilestoleeward。\"

\"Whatland？\"inquiredtheboatswain。

\"SouthAmerica，\"answeredCurtis，\"andneartheAmazon;nootherriverhasacurrentstrongenoughtofreshentheoceantwentymilesfromshore！\"

CHAPTERLVII

LANDAHOY！

JANUARY27continued。——Curtis，nodoubt，wasright。

ThedischargefromthemouthoftheAmazonisenor—

mouslylarge，butwehadprobablydriftedintotheonlyspotintheAtlanticwherewecouldfindfreshwatersofarfromland。Yetlandundoubtedlywasthere，andthebreezewascarryingusonwardslowlybutsurelytoourdeliverance。

MissHerbey’svoicewasheardpouringoutferventpraisetoHeaven，andwewereallgladtouniteourthanksgivingswithhers。Thenthewholeofus（withtheexceptionofAndreandhisfather，whoremainedbythemselvesto—

getheratthestern）clusteredinagroup，andkeptourex—

pectantgazeuponthehorizon。

Wehadnotlongtowait。Beforeanhourhadpassed，Curtisleapedinecstasyandraisedthejoyousshoutof\"Landahoy！\"……

Myjournalhascometoaclose。

Ihaveonlytorelate，asbrieflyaspossible，thecircum—

stancesthatfinallybroughtustoourdestination。

AfewhoursafterwefirstsightedlandtheraftwasoffCapeMagoari，ontheislandofMarajo，andwasobservedbysomefishermen，who，withkind—heartedalacritypickedusupandtendedusmostcarefully。TheyconveyedustoPara，wherewebecametheobjectsofunboundedsympathy。

Theraftwasbroughttolandinlatitude0deg。12’north，sothatsinceweabandonedtheChancellorwehaddriftedatleastfifteendegreestothesouthwest。Exceptforthein—

fluenceoftheGulfStreamwemusthavebeencarriedfar，fartothesouth，andinthatcaseweshouldneverhavereachedthemouthoftheAmazon，andmustinevitablyhavebeenlost。

Ofthethirty—twosouls——ninepassengersandtwenty—

threeseamen——wholeftCharlestononboardtheship，onlyfivepassengersandsixseamenremain。Elevenofusalonesurvive。

AnofficialaccountofourrescuewasdrawnupbytheBrazilianauthorities。ThosewhosignedwereMissHer—

bey，J。R。Kazallon，M。Letourneur，AndreLetourneur，Mr。Falsten，theboatswain，Dowlas，Burke，Flaypole，San—

don，andlast，thoughnotleast，\"RobertCurtis，Captain。\"

AtParawesoonfoundfacilitiesforcontinuingourhomewardroute。AvesseltookustoCayenne，wherewesecuredapassageonboardoneofthesteamersoftheFrenchTransatlanticAspinwallline，theVilledeSt。Na—

zaire，whichconveyedustoEurope。

Afterallthedangersandprivationswhichwehaveunder—

gonetogether，itisscarcelynecessarytosaythattherehasarisenbetweenthesurvivingpassengersoftheChancellorabondoffriendshiptooindissoluble，Ibelieve，foreithertimeorcircumstancetodestroy;Curtismusteverremainthehonoredandvaluedfriendofthosewhosewelfareheconsultedsofaithfullyintheirmisfortunes;hisconductwasbeyondallpraise。

Whenwewerefairlyonourhomewardway，MissHerbeybychanceintimatedtousherintentionofretiringfromtheworldanddevotingtheremainderofherlifetothecareofthesickandsuffering。

\"Thenwhynotcomeandlookaftermyson？\"saidM。Letourneur，adding，\"heisaninvalid，andherequires，ashedeserves，thebestofnursing。\"

MissHerbey，aftersomedeliberation，consentedtobe—

comeamemberoftheirfamily，andfindsinM。Letourneurafather，andinAndreabrother。Abrother，Isay;butmaywenothopethatshemaybeunitedbyadearerandaclosertie，andthatthenoble—heartedgirlmayexperiencethehappinessthatshesorichlydeserves？