第5章
Toourdailyhalf—poundofbiscuitthecaptainhasthoughttoaddafewdropsofbrandy，andthestimulanthelpscon—
siderablytosustainourstrength。Ifwehadthesamepro—
visionsfortwomonths，orevenforone，theremightberoomforhope;butoursuppliesdiminishrapidly，andthetimeisfastapproachingwhenoffoodanddrinktherewillbenone。
Theseahadfurnisheduswithfoodonce，and，difficultasthetaskoffishinghadnowbecome，atallhazardstheattemptmustbemadeagain。Accordinglythecarpenterandtheboatswainsettoworkandmadelinesoutofsomeuntwistedhemp，towhichtheyfixedsomenailsthattheypulledoutoftheflooringoftheraft，andbentintopropershape。Theboatswainregardedhisdevicewithevidentsatisfaction。
"Idon’tmeantosay，"saidhetome，"thatthesenailsarefirst—ratefish—hooks;but，onethingIdoknow，andthatis，withproperbaittheywillactaswellasthebest。Butthisbiscuitisnogoodatall。Letmebutjustgetholdofonefish，andIshallknowfastenoughhowtouseittocatchsomemore。"
Andthetruedifficultywashowtocatchthefirstfish。Itwasevidentthatfishwerenotabundantinthesewaters，neverthelessthelineswerecast。Butthebiscuitwithwhichtheywerebaiteddissolvedatonceinthewater，andwedidnotgetasinglebite。Fortwodaystheattemptwasmadeinvain，andasitonlyinvolvedwhatseemedalavishwasteofouronlymeansofsubsistence，itwasgivenupinde—
spair。
To—day，the30th，asalastresource，theboatswaintriedwhatapieceofcoloredragmightdobywayofattractingsomevoraciousfish，andhavingobtainedfromMissHer—
beyalittlepieceoftheredshawlshewears，hefastenedittohishook。Butstillnosuccess;forwhen，afterseveralhours，heexaminedhislines，thecrimsonshredwasstillhangingintactashehadfixedit。Themanwasquitedis—
couragedathisfailure。
"Buttherewillbeplentyofbaitbeforelong，"hesaidtomeinasolemnundertone。
"Whatdoyoumean？"saidI，struckbyhissignificantmanner。
"You’llknowsoonenough，"heanswered。
Whatdidheinsinuate？Thewords，comingfromamanusuallysoreserved，havehauntedmeallnight。
CHAPTERXXXVIII
MUTINYAGAIN
JANUARY1to5。——MorethanthreemonthshadelapsedsinceweleftCharlestonintheChancellor，andfornolessthantwentydayshadwenowbeenbornealongonourraftatthemercyofthewindandwaves。WhetherwewereapproachingtheAmericancoast，orwhetherweweredrift—
ingfartherandfarthertosea，itwasnowimpossibletode—
termine，for，inadditiontotheotherdisasterscausedbythehurricane，thecaptain’sinstrumentshadbeenhopelesslysmashed，andCurtishadnolongeranycompassbywhichtodirecthiscourse，norasextantbywhichhemightmakeanobservation。
Desperate，however，asourconditionmightbejudged，hopedidnotentirelyabandonourhearts，anddayafterday，hourafterhourwereoureyesstrainedtowardthefarhorizon，andmanyandmanyatimedidourimaginationshapeoutthedistantland。Buteverandagaintheillusionvanished;acloud，amist，perhapsevenawave，wasallthathaddeceivedus;noland，nosaileverbrokethegraylinethatunitedseaandsky，andourraftremainedthecenterofthewideanddrearywaste。
Onthe1stofJanuary，weswallowedourlastmorselofbiscuit。ThefirstofJanuary！NewYear’sDay！Whatarushofsorrowfulrecollectionsoverwhelmedourminds！
Hadwenotalwaysassociatedtheopeningofanotheryearwithnewhopes，newplans，andcomingjoys？Andnow，wherewerewe？Couldwedaretolookatoneanother，andbreatheaNewYear’sgreeting？
Theboatswainapproachedmewithapeculiarlookonhiscountenance。
"YouaresurelynotgoingtowishmeahappyNewYear？"Isaid。
"Noindeed，sir，"hereplied，"Iwasonlygoingtowishyouwellthroughthefirstdayofit;andthatisprettygoodassuranceonmypart，forwehavenotanothercrumbtoeat。"
Trueasitwas，wescarcelyrealizedthefactoftherebeingactuallynothinguntilonthefollowingmorningthehourcameroundforthedistributionofthescantyration，andthen，indeed，thetruthwasforceduponusinanewandstartlinglight。TowardeveningIwasseizedwithviolentpainsinthestomach，accompaniedbyaconstantdesiretoyawnandgapethatwasmostdistressing;butinacoupleofhourstheextremeagonypassedaway，andonthe3dI
wassurprisedtofindthatIdidnotsuffermore。Ifelt，itistrue，thattherewassomegreatvoidwithinmyself，butthesensationwasquiteasmuchmoralasphysical。MyheadwassoheavythatIcouldnotholditup;itwasswim—
mingwithgiddiness，asthoughIwerelookingoveraprecipice。
Mysymptomswerenotsharedbyallmycompanions，someofwhomenduredthemostfrightfultortures。Dow—
lasandtheboatswainespecially，whowerenaturallylargeeaters，utteredinvoluntarycriesofagony，andwereobligedtogirdthemselvestightlywithropestosubduetheexcru—
ciatingpainthatwasgnawingtheirveryvitals。
Andthiswasonlytheseconddayofourmisery！Whatwouldwenothavegivenforhalf，nay，foraquarterofthemeagerrationwhichafewdaysbackwedeemedsoinade—
quatetosupplyourwants，andwhichnow，ekedoutcrumbbycrumb，might，perhaps，serveforseveraldays？Inthestreetsofabesiegedcity，direasthedistressmaybe，somegutter，somerubbish—heap，somecornermayyetbefoundthatwillfurnishadryboneorascrapofrefusethatmayforamomentallaythepangsofhunger;butthesebareplanks，somanytimeswashedcleanbytherelentlesswaves，offernothingtooureagersearch，andaftereveryfragmentoffoodthatthewindhascarriedintotheintersticeshasbeenscrapedoutanddevoured，ourresourcesareliterallyatanend。
Thenightsseemevenlongerthanthedays。Sleep，whenitcomes，bringsnorelief;itisratherafeverishstupor，brokenanddisturbedbyfrightfulnightmares。Lastnight，however，overcomebyfatigue，Imanagedtorestforsev—
eralhours。
Atsixo’clockthismorningIwasrousedbythesoundofangryvoices，and，startingup，IsawOwenandJynxstrop，withFlaypole，Wilson，Burke，andSandon，standinginathreateningattitude。Theyhadtakenposses—
sionofthecarpenter’stools，andnow，armedwithhatchets，chisels，andhammers，theywerepreparingtoattackthecaptain，theboatswain，andDowlas。IattachedmyselfinamomenttoCurtis’sparty。Falstenfollowedmyex—
ample，andalthoughourknivesweretheonlyweaponsatourdisposal，wewerereadytodefendourselvestotheverylastextremity。
Owenandhismenadvancedtowardus。Themiserablewretcheswerealldrunk，forduringthenighttheyhadknockedaholeinthebrandy—barrel，andhadrecklesslyswal—
loweditscontents。Whattheywantedtheyscarcelyseemedtoknow，butOwenandJynxstrop，notquitesomuchintox—
icatedastherest，seemedtobeurgingthemontomassacrethecaptainandtheofficers。
"Downwiththecaptain！OverboardwithCurtis！
Owenshalltakethecommand！"theyshoutedfromtimetotimeintheirdrunkenfury;and，armedastheywere，theyappearedcompletelymastersofthesituation。
"Now，then，downwithyourarms！"saidCurtissternly，asheadvancedtomeetthem。
"Overboardwiththecaptain！"howledOwen，asbywordandgestureheurgedonhisaccomplices。
Curtispushedasidetheexcitedrascals，and，walkingstraightuptoOwen，askedhimwhathewanted。
"Whatdowewant？Why，wewantnomorecaptains;
weareallequalsnow。"
Poorstupidfool！asthoughmiseryandprivationhadnotalreadyreducedusalltothesamelevel。
"Owen，"saidthecaptainonceagain，"downwithyourarms！"
"Comeon，allofyou，"shoutedOwentohiscompanions，withoutgivingtheslightestheedtoCurtis’swords。
Aregularstruggleensued。OwenandWilsonattackedCurtis，whodefendedhimselfwithapieceofspar;BurkeandFlaypolerusheduponFalstenandtheboatswain，whileIwaslefttoconfrontthenegroJynxstrop，whoattemptedtostrikemewiththehammerwhichhebrandishedinhishand。
Iendeavoredtoparalyzehismovementsbypinioninghisarms，buttherascalwasmysuperiorinmuscularstrength。
Afterwrestlingforafewminutes，Ifeltthathewasgettingthemasteryoverme，whenallofasuddenherolledoverontotheplatform，draggingmewithhim。AndreLetour—
neurhadcaughtholdofoneofhislegs，andthussavedmylife。Jynxstropdroppedhisweaponinhisfall;Iseizeditinstantly，andwasabouttocleavethefellow’sskull，whenI
wasmyselfarrestedbyAndre’shanduponmyarm。
Bythistimethemutineershadbeendrivenbacktotheforepartoftheraft，andCurtis，whohadmanagedtoparrytheblowswhichhadbeenaimedathim，hadcaughtholdofahatchet，withwhichhewaspreparingtostrikeOwen。
ButOwenmadeasidelongmovementtoavoidtheblow，andtheweaponcaughtWilsonfullinthechest。Theunfor—
tunatemanrolledoverthesideoftheraftandinstantlydis—
appeared。
"Savehim！savehim！"shoutedtheboatswain。
"It’stoolate;he’sdead！"saidDowlas。
"Ah，well！he’lldofor——"begantheboatswain;buthedidnotfinishhissentence。
Wilson’sdeath，however，putanendtothefray。Flay—
poleandBurkewerelyingprostrateinadrunkenstupor，andJynxstropwassoonoverpowered，andlashedtightlytothefootofthemast。ThecarpenterandboatswainseizedholdofOwen。
"Nowthen，"saidCurtis，asheraisedhisblood—stainedhatchet，"makeyourpeacewithGod，foryouhavenotamomenttolive。"
"Oh，youwanttoeatme，doyou？"sneeredOwen，withthemosthardenedeffrontery。
Buttheaudaciousreplysavedhislife;Curtisturnedaspaleasdeath，thehatchetdroppedfromhishand，andhewentandseatedhimselfmoodilyonthefarthestcorneroftheraft。
CHAPTERXXXIX
AFATHER’SLOVE
JANUARY5and6。——Thewholescenemadeadeepimpres—
siononourminds，andOwen’sspeechcomingasasortofclimax，broughtbeforeusourmiserywithaforcethatwaswell—nighoverwhelming。
AssoonasIrecoveredmycomposure，IdidnotforgettothankAndreLetourneurfortheactofinterventionthathadsavedmylife。
"Doyouthankmeforthat，Mr。Kazallon？"hesaid;"ithasonlyservedtoprolongyourmisery。"
"Nevermind，M。Letourneur，"saidMissHerbey;"youdidyourduty。"
Enfeebledandemaciatedastheyounggirlis，hersenseofdutyneverdesertsher;andalthoughhertornandbe—
draggledgarmentsfloatdejectedlyaboutherbody，sheneveruttersawordofcomplaint，andneverlosescourage。
"Mr。Kazallon，"shesaidtome，"doyouthinkwearefatedtodieofhunger？"
"Yes，MissHerbey，Ido，"Ireplied，inahard，coldtone。
"Howlongdoyousupposewehavetolive？"sheaskedagain。
"Icannotsay;perhapsweshalllingeronlongerthanweimagine。"
"Thestrongestconstitutionssufferthemost，dotheynot？"shesaid。
"Yes;buttheyhaveoneconsolation——theydiethesoon—
est，"Ireplied，coldly。
Hadeverysparkofhumanitydiedoutofmybreast，thatIthusbroughtthegirlfacetofacewiththeterribletruth，withoutawordofhopeorcomfort？TheeyesofAndreandhisfather，dilatedwithhunger，werefixeduponme，andIsawreproachandastonishmentwrittenintheirfaces。
Afterward，whenwewerequitealone，MissHerbeyaskedmeifIwouldgrantherafavor。
"Certainly，MissHerbey;anythingyouliketoask，"I
replied;andthistimemymannerwaskinderandmoregenial。
"Mr。Kazallon，"shesaid，"Iamweakerthanyou，andshallprobablydiefirst。Promisemethat，ifIdo，youwillthrowmeintothesea！"
"Oh，MissHerbey，"Ibegan，"itwasverywrongofmetospeaktoyouasIdid！"
"No，no，"shereplied，halfsmiling;"youwerequiteright。Butitisaweaknessofmine;Idon’tmindwhattheydowithmeaslongasIamalive，butwhenIamdead——"
Shestoppedandshuddered。"Oh，promisemethatyouwillthrowmeintothesea！"
Igaveherthemelancholypromise，whichsheacknowl—
edgedbypressingmyhandfeeblywithheremaciatedfingers。
Anothernightpassedaway。Attimesmysufferingsweresointensethatcriesofagonyinvoluntarilyescapedmylips;
thenIbecamecalmer，andsankintoakindoflethargy。
WhenIawoke，Iwassurprisedtofindmycompanionsstillalive。
TheoneofourpartywhoseemstobearhisprivationsthebestisHobartthesteward，amanwithwhomhithertoIhavehadverylittletodo。Heissmall，withafawningexpressionremarkableforitsindecision，andhasasmilewhichisincessantlyplayingroundhislips;hegoesaboutwithhiseyeshalfclosed，asthoughhewishedtoconcealhisthoughts，andthereissomethingaltogetherfalseandhypocriticalabouthiswholedemeanor。Icannotsaythathebearshisprivationswithoutamurmur，forhesighsandmoansincessantly;but，withitall，Icannotbutthinkthatthereisawantofgenuinenessinhismanner，andthattheprivationhasnotreallytolduponhimasmuchasithasupontherestofus。Ihavemysuspicionsabouttheman，andintendtowatchhimcarefully。
To—day，the6th，M。Letourneurdrewmeasidetothesternoftheraft，sayinghehadasecrettocommunicate，butthathewishedneithertobeseennorheardspeakingtome。I
withdrewwithhimtothelarboardcorneroftheraft，and，asitwasgrowingdusk，nobodyobservedwhatweweredoing。
"Mr。Kazallon，"M。Letourneurbegan，inalowvoice，"Andreisdyingofhunger;heisgrowingweakerandweaker，andoh！Icannot，willnot，seehimdie！"
Hespokepassionately，almostfiercely，andIfullyunder—
stoodhisfeelings。Takinghishand，Itriedtoreassurehim。
"Wewillnotdespairyet，"Isaid;"perhapssomepass—
ingship——"
"Ship！"hecried，impatiently，"don’ttrytoconsolemewithemptycommonplaces;youknowaswellasIdothatthereisnochanceoffallinginwithapassingship。"Then，breakingoffsuddenly，heasked："Howlongisitsincemysonandallofyouhavehadanythingtoeat？"
Astonishedathisquestion，Irepliedthatitwasnowfourdayssincethebiscuithadfailed。
"Fourdays，"herepeated;"well，then，itiseightsinceI
havetastedanything。Ihavebeensavingmyshareformyson。"
Tearsrushedtomyeyes;forafewmomentsIwasunabletospeak，andcouldonlyoncemoregrasphishandinsilence。
"Whatdoyouwantmetodo？"Iasked，atlength。
"Hush！notsoloud;someonewillhearus，"hesaid，low—
eringhisvoice;"IwantyoutoofferittoAndreasthoughitcamefromyourself。Hewouldnotacceptitfromme;hewouldthinkIhadbeendeprivingmyselfforhim。Letmeimploreyoutodomethisservice;andforyourtrouble，"——
andherehegentlystrokedmyhand——"foryourtroubleyoushallhaveamorselforyourself。"
ItrembledlikeachildasIlistenedtothepoorfather’swords;andmyheartwasreadytoburstwhenIfeltatinypieceofbiscuitslippedintomyhand。
"Giveithim，"M。Letourneurwentonunderhisbreath，"giveithim;butdonotletanyoneseeyou;themonsterswouldmurderyouiftheyknewit！Thisisonlyforto—
day;Iwillgiveyousomemoreto—morrow。"
Thepoorfellowdidnottrustme——andwellhemightnot——forIhadthegreatestdifficultytowithstandthetempta—
tiontocarrythebiscuittomymouth。ButIresistedtheimpulse，andthosealonewhohavesufferedlikemecanknowwhattheeffortwas。
Nightcameonwiththerapiditypeculiartotheselowlati—
tudes，andIglidedgentlyuptoAndre，andslippedthepieceofbiscuitintohishandas"apresentfrommyself。"
Theyoungmanclutchedatiteagerly。
"Butmyfather？"hesaid，inquiringly。
IassuredhimthathisfatherandIhadeachhadourshare，andthathemusteatthisnow，andperhapsIshouldbeabletobringhimsomemoreanothertime。Andreaskednomorequestions，andeagerlydevouredthemorseloffood。
Sothiseveningatleast，notwithstandingM。Letourneur’soffer，Ihavetastednothing。
CHAPTERXL
DEATHOFLIEUTENANTWALTER
JANUARY7。——Duringthelastfewdays，sincethewindhasfreshened，thesaltwaterconstantlydashingovertherafthasterriblypunishedthefeetandlegsofsomeofthesailors。Owen，whomtheboatswaineversincetherevolthaskeptboundtothemast，isinadeplorablestate，and，atourrequest，hasbeenreleasedfromhisrestraint。SandonandBurkearealsosufferingfromtheseveresmartingcausedinthisway，anditisonlyowingtoourmoreshelteredpositionontheaft—partoftheraft，thatwehavenotallsharedthesameinconvenience。
To—daytheboatswain，maddenedbystarvation，laidhandsuponeverythingthatmethisvoraciouseyes，andIcouldhearthegratingofhisteethashegnawedatfragmentsofsailsandbitsofwood，instinctivelyendeavoringtofillhisstomachbyputtingthemucusintocirculation。Atlength，bydintofaneagersearch，hecameuponapieceofleatherhangingtooneofthesparsthatsupportedtheplatform。
Hesnatcheditoffanddevoureditgreedily;and，asitwasanimalmatter，itreallyseemedasthoughtheabsorptionofthesubstanceaffordedhimsometemporaryrelief。In—
stantlyweallfollowedhisexample;aleatherhat，therimsofcaps，inshort，anythingthatcontainedanyanimalmatteratall，weregnawedandsuckedwiththeutmostavidity。
NevershallIforgetthescene。Wewerenolongerhuman——theimpulsesandinstinctsofbrutebeastsseemedtoactuateoureverymovement。
Foramomentthepangsofhungerweresomewhatallayed;butsomeofusrevoltedagainsttheloathsomefood，andwereseizedeitherwithviolentnauseaorabsolutesick—
ness。Imustbepardonedforgivingthesedistressingde—
tails;buthowotherwisecanIdepictthemisery，moralandphysical，whichweareenduring？Andwithitall，Idarenotventuretohopethatwehavereachedtheclimaxofoursufferings。
TheconductofHobart，duringthescenethatIhavejustdescribed，hasonlyservedtoconfirmmyprevioussuspicionsofhim。Hetooknopartinthealmostfiendishenergywithwhichwegnawedatourscrapsofleather;and，althoughbyhisconductofperpetualgroanings，hemightbeconsideredtobedyingofinanition，yettomehehastheappearanceofbeingsingularlyexemptfromthetortureswhichweareallenduring。Butwhetherthehypocriteisbeingsustainedbysomesecretstoreoffood，Ihavebeenunabletodiscover。
Wheneverthebreezedropstheheatisoverpowering;butalthoughourallowanceofwaterisverymeager，atpresentthepangsofhungerfarexceedthepainofthirst。Ithasoftenbeenremarkedthatextremethirstisfarlessendurablethanextremehunger。Isitpossiblethatstillgreateragoniesareinstoreforus？Icannot，darenot，believeit。For—
tunately，thebrokenbarrelstillcontainsafewpintsofwater，andtheotheronehasnotyetbeenopened。ButIamgladtosaythatnotwithstandingourdiminishednumbers，andinspiteofsomeopposition，thecaptainhasthoughtrighttoreducethedailyallowancetohalfapintforeachperson。
Asforthebrandy，ofwhichthereisonlyaquartnowleft，ithasbeenstowedawaysafelyinthesternoftheraft。
Thiseveninghasendedthesufferingsofanotherofourcompanions，makingournumbernowonlyfourteen。MyattentionsandMissHerbey’snursingcoulddonothingforLieutenantWalter，andabouthalf—pastsevenheexpiredinmyarms。
Beforehedied，inafewbrokenwords，hethankedMissHerbeyandmyselfforthekindnesswehadshownhim。A
crumpledletterfellfromhishand，andinavoicethatwasscarcelyaudiblefromweakness，hesaid：
"Itismymother’sletter;thelastIhadfromher——shewasexpectingmehome;butshewillneverseememore。
Oh，putittomylips——letmekissitbeforeIdie。Mother！
mother！Oh，myGod！"
Iplacedtheletterinhiscoldhand，andraisedittohislips;hiseyelightedforamoment;weheardthefaintsoundofakiss;andallwasover！
CHAPTERXLI
HUMANFLESHFORBAIT
JANUARY8。——AllnightIremainedbythesideofthepoorfellow’scorpse，andseveraltimesMissHerbeyjoinedmeinmymournfulwatch。
Beforedaylightdawned，thebodywasquitecold，andasIknewtheremustbenodelayinthrowingitoverboard，I
askedCurtistoassistmeinthesadoffice。Thebodywasfrightfullyemaciated，andIhadeveryhopethatitwouldnotfloat。
Assoonasitwasquitelight，takingeveryprecautionthatnooneshouldseewhatwewereabout，CurtisandIpro—
ceededtoourmelancholytask。Wetookafewarticlesfromthelieutenant’spockets，whichwepurposed，ifeitherofusshouldsurvive，toremittohismother。Butaswewrappedhiminhistatteredgarmentsthatwouldhavetosufficeforhiswindingsheet，Istartedbackwithathrillofhorror。Therightfoothadgone，leavingthelegableedingstump。
Nodoubtthat，overcomebyfatigue，Imusthavefallenasleepforanintervalduringthenight，andsomeonehadtakenadvantageofmyslumbertomutilatethecorpse。Butwhocouldhavebeenguiltyofsofouladeed？Curtislookedaroundwithangerflashinginhiseye;butallseemedasusual，andthesilencewasonlybrokenbyafewgroansofagony。
Buttherewasnotimetobelost;perhapswewerealreadyobserved，andmorehorriblescenesmightbelikelytooccur。
Curtissaidafewshortprayers，andwecastthebodyintothesea。Itsankimmediately。
"Theyarefeedingthesharkswell，andnomistake，"saidavoicebehindme。
Iturnedroundquickly，andfoundthatitwasJynxstropwhohadspoken。
Astheboatswainnowapproached，Iaskedhimwhetherhethoughtitpossiblethatanyofthewretchedmencouldhavetakenthedeadman’sfoot。
"Oh，yes，Idaresay，"herepliedinasignificanttone，"andperhapstheythoughttheywereright。"
"Right！whatdoyoumean？"Iexclaimed。
"Well，sir，"hesaidcoldly，"isn’titbettertoeatadeadmanthanalivingone？"
Iwasatalosstocomprehendhim，and，turningaway，laidmyselfdownattheendoftheraft。
Towardeleveno’clockamostsuspiciousincidentoccurred。
Theboatswain，whohadcasthislinesearlyinthemorning，caughtthreelargecod，eachmorethanthirtyincheslong，ofthespecieswhich，whendried，isknownbythenameofstock—fish。Scarcelyhadhehauledthemonboardwhenthesailorsmadeadashatthem，anditwaswiththeutmostdif—
ficultythatCurtis，Falstenandmyselfcouldrestoreorder，sothatwemightdividethefishintoequalportions。Threecodwerenotmuchamongfourteenstarvingpersons，but，smallasthequantitywas，itwasallottedinstrictlyequalshares。Mostofusdevouredthefoodraw，almostImightsay，alive;onlyCurtis，Andre，andMissHerbeyhavingthepatiencetowaituntiltheirallowancehadbeenboiledatafirewhichtheymadewithafewscrapsofwood。Formy—
self，IconfessthatIswallowedmyportionoffishasitwas——rawandbleeding。M。Letourneurfollowedmyexample;
thepoormandevouredhisfoodlikeafamishedwolf，anditisonlyawondertomehow，afterhislengthenedfast，hecametobealiveatall。
Theboatswain’sdelightathissuccesswasexcessive，andamountedalmosttodelirium。Iwentuptohim，anden—
couragedhimtorepeathisattempt。
"Oh，yes，"hesaid;"I’lltryagain。I’lltryagain。"
"Andwhynottryatonce？"Iasked。
"Notnow，"hesaidevasively;"thenightisthebesttimeforcatchinglargefish。Besides，Imustmanagetogetsomebait，forwehavebeenimprovidentenoughnottosaveasinglescrap。"
"Butyouhavesucceededoncewithoutbait;whymayyounotsucceedagain？"
"Oh，Ihadsomeverygoodbaitlastnight，"hesaid。
Istaredathiminamazement。Hesteadilyreturnedmygaze，butsaidnothing。
"Haveyounoneleft？"atlastIasked。
"Yes！"healmostwhispered，andleftmewithoutanotherword。
Ourmeal，meagerasithadbeen，servedtorallyourshat—
teredenergies;ourhopeswereslightlyraised;therewasnoreasonwhytheboatswainshouldnothavethesamegoodluckagain。
Oneevidenceofthedegreetowhichourspiritswerere—
vivedwasthatourmindswerenolongerfixeduponthemiserablepresentandhopelessfuture，butwebegantorecallanddiscussthepast;andM。Letourneur，Andre，Mr。Fal—
stenandI，heldalongconversationwiththecaptainaboutthevariousincidentsofoureventfulvoyage，speakingofourlostcompanions，ofthefire，orthestrandingoftheship，ofoursojournonHamRock，ofthespringingoftheleak，ofourterriblevoyageinthetop—masts，oftheconstructionoftheraft，andofthestorm。Allthesethingsseemedtohavehappenedsolongago，andyetwewerelivingstill。Living，didIsay？Ay，ifsuchanexistenceasourscouldbecalledalife，fourteenofuswerelivingstill。Whowouldbethenexttogo？Weshouldthenbethirteen。
"Anunluckynumber！"saidAndre，withamournfulsmile。
Duringthenighttheboatswaincasthislinesfromthesternoftheraft，and，unwillingtotrustthemtoanyoneelse，remainedwatchingthemhimself。InthemorningI
wenttoascertainwhatsuccesshadattendedhispatience。Itwasscarcelylight，andwitheagereyeshewaspeeringdownintothewater。Hehadneitherseennorheardmecoming。
"Well，boatswain！"Isaid，touchinghimontheshoulder。
Heturnedroundquickly。
"Thosevillainoussharkshaveeateneverymorselofmybait，"hesaid，inadespondingvoice。
"Andyouhavenomoreleft？"Iasked。
"Nomore，"hesaid。Thengraspingmyarm，headded，"andthatonlyshowsmethatitisnogooddoingthingsbyhalves。"
Thetruthflasheduponmeatonce，andIlaidmyhanduponhismouth。PoorWalter！
CHAPTERXLII
OXIDEOFCOPPERPOISONING
JANUARY9and10。——Onthe9ththewinddropped，andtherewasadeadcalm;notarippledisturbedthesurfaceofthelongundulationsastheyroseandfellbeneathus;andifitwerenotfortheslightcurrentwhichiscarryingusweknownotwhither，theraftwouldbeabsolutelystationary。
Theheatwasintolerable;ourthirstmoreintolerablestill;
andnowitwasthatforthefirsttimeIfullyrealizedhowtheinsufficiencyofdrinkcouldcausetorturemoreunendurablethanthepangsofhunger。Mouth，throat，pharynx，allalikewereparchedanddry，everyglandbecominghardashornundertheactionofthehotairwebreathed。Atmyurgentsolicitation，thecaptainwasforonceinducedtodoubleourallowanceofwater;andthisrelaxationoftheordinaryruleenabledustoattempttoslakeourthirstfourtimesintheday，insteadofonlytwice。Iusetheword"attempt"advisedly;
forthewateratthebottomofthebarrelthoughkeptcoveredbyasail，becamesowarmthatitwasperfectlyflatandunrefreshing。
Itwasamosttryingday，andthesailorsrelapsedintoaconditionofdeepdespondency。Themoonwasnearlyfull，butwhensherosethebreezedidnotreturn。Continuanceofhightemperatureindaytimeisasureproofthatwehavebeencarriedfartothesouth，andhere，onthisillimitableocean，wehavelongceasedeventolookforland;itmightalmostseemasthoughthisglobeofourshadveritablybe—
comealiquidsphere！
To—daywearestillbecalmed，andthetemperatureisashighasever。Theairisheatedlikeafurnace，andthesunscorcheslikefire。Thetormentsoffamineareallforgotten;
ourthoughtsareconcentratedwithfeveredexpectationuponthelonged—formomentwhenCurtisshalldoleoutthescantymeasureoflukewarmwaterthatmakesupourration。Ohforonegooddraught，evenifitshouldexhaustthewholesupply！Atleast，itseemsasifwethencoulddieinpeace！
Aboutnoonwewerestartledbysharpcriesofagony，andlookinground，IsawOwenwrithinginthemosthorribleconvulsions。Iwenttowardhim，for，detestableashiscon—
ducthadbeen，commonhumanitypromptedmetoseewhetherIcouldaffordhimanyrelief。ButbeforeIreachedhim，ashoutfromFlaypolearrestedmyattention。Themanwasupinthemast，andwithgreatexcitementpointingtotheeast。
"Aship！Aship！"hecried。
Inaninstantallwereontheirfeet。EvenOwenstoppedhiscriesandstooderect。Itwasquitetruethatinthedirec—
tionindicatedbyFlaypoletherewasawhitespeckvisibleuponthehorizon。Butdiditmove？Wouldthesailorswiththeirkeenvisionpronounceittobeasail？Asilencethemostprofoundfelluponusall。IglancedatCurtisashestoodwithfoldedarmsintentlygazingatthedistantpoint。Hisbrowwasfurrowed，andhecontractedeveryfea—
ture，aswithhalf—closedeyesheconcentratedhispowerofvisionuponthatonefaintspotinthefaroffhorizon。
Butatlengthhedroppedhisarmsandshookhishead。I
lookedagain，butthespotwasnolongerthere。Ifitwereaship，thatshiphaddisappeared;butprobablyithadbeenamerereflection，or，morelikelystill，onlythecrestofsomecurlingwave。
Adeepdejectionfollowedthisphantomrayofhope。Allreturnedtotheiraccustomedplaces。Curtisaloneremainedmotionless，buthiseyenolongerscannedthedistantview。
Owennowbegantoshriekmorewildlythanever。Hepresentedtrulyamostmelancholysight;hewrithedwiththemosthideouscontortions，andhadalltheappearanceofsufferingfromtetanus。Histhroatwascontractedbyre—
peatedspasms，histonguewasparched，hisbodyswollen，andhispulse，thoughfeeble，wasrapidandirregular。Thepoorwretch’ssymptomswerepreciselysuchastoleadustosus—
pectthathehadtakensomecorrosivepoison。Ofcourseitwasquiteoutofourpowertoadministeranyantidote;allthatwecoulddevisewastomakehimswallowsomethingthatmightactasanemetic。IaskedCurtisforalittleofthelukewarmwater。Asthecontentsofthebrokenbarrelwerenowexhausted，thecaptain，inordertocomplywithmyrequest，wasabouttotaptheotherbarrel，whenOwenstartedsuddenlytohisknees，andwithawild，unearthlyshriek，exclaimed：
"No！no！no！ofthatwaterIwillnottouchadrop。"
Isupposedhedidnotunderstandwhatweweregoingtodo，andendeavoredtoexplain;butallinvain;hepersistedinrefusingtotastethewaterinthesecondbarrel。Ithentriedtoinducevomitingbyticklinghisuvula，andhebroughtoffsomebluishsecretionfromhisstomach，thecharacterofwhichconfirmedourprevioussuspicions——thathehadbeenpoisonedbyoxideofcopper。Wenowfeltconvincedthatanyeffortonourparttosavehimwouldbeofnoavail。
Thevomiting，however，hadforthetimerelievedhim，andhewasabletospeak。
CurtisandIbothimploredhimtoletusknowwhathehadtakentobringaboutconsequencessoserious。Hisreplyfelluponusasastartlingblow。
Theill—fatedwretchhadstolenseveralpintsofwaterfromthebarrelthathadbeenuntouched，andthatwaterhadpoisonedhim！
CHAPTERXLIII
OWEN’SDEATH
JANUARY11to14。——Owen’sconvulsionsreturnedwithin—
creasedviolence，andinthecourseofthenightheexpiredinterribleagony。Hisbodywasthrownoverboardalmostdirectly，ithaddecomposedsorapidlythatthefleshhadnotevenconsistencyenoughforanyfragmentsofittobere—
servedfortheboatswaintousetobaithislines。Aplaguethemanhadbeentousinhislife;inhisdeathhewasnowofnoservice！
Andnow，perhapsstillmorethanever，didthehorrorofoursituationstareusintheface。Therewasnodoubtthatthepoisonedbarrelhadatsometimeorothercontainedcopperas;butwhatstrangefatalityhadconverteditintoawatercask，orwhatfatality，strangerstill，hadcausedittobebroughtonboardtheraft，wasaproblemthatnonecouldsolve。Little，however，diditmatternow;thefactwasevi—
dent——thebarrelwaspoisoned，andofwaterwehadnotadrop。
Oneandall，wefellintothegloomiestsilence。Weweretooirritabletobearthesoundofeachother’svoices;anditdidnotrequireaword——amerelookorgesturewasenough——toprovokeustoangerthatwaslittleshortofmadness。
Howitwasthatwedidnotallbecomeravingmaniacs，Ican—
nottell。
Throughoutthe12thnodrainofmoisturecrossedourlips，andnotacloudarosetowarranttheexpectationofapassingshower;intheshade，ifshadeitmightbecalled，thethermometerwouldhaveregisteredatleast100deg。，andper—
hapsconsiderablymore。
Nochangenextday。Thesaltwaterbegantochafemylegs，butalthoughthesmartingwasattimessevere，itwasaninconveniencetowhichIgavelittleheed;otherswhohadsufferedfromthesametroublehadbecomenoworse。Oh！
ifthiswaterthatsurroundsuscouldbereducedtovaporortoice！itsparticlesofsaltextracted，itwouldbeavailablefordrink。Butno！wehavenoappliances，andwemustsufferon。
Attheriskofbeingdevouredbythesharks，theboat—
swainandtwosailorstookamorningbath，andastheirplungeseemedtofreshenthem，Iandthreeofmycom—
panionsresolvedtofollowtheirexample。Wehadneverlearnedtoswim，andhadtobefastenedtotheendofaropeandloweredintothewater，whileCurtis，duringthehalfhourofourbath，keptasharplookouttogivewarningofanydangerfromapproachingsharks。Norecommenda—
tion，however，onourpart，noranyrepresentationofthebenefitwefeltwehadderived，couldinduceMissHerbeytoallayhersufferingsinthesameway。
Atabouteleveno’clock，thecaptaincameuptome，andwhisperedinmyear：
"Don’tsayaword，Mr。Kazallon;Idonotwanttoraisefalsehopes，butIthinkIseeaship。"
Itwasaswellthatthecaptainhadwarnedme;otherwise，Ishouldhaveraisedaninvoluntaryshoutofjoy;asitwasIhadthegreatestdifficultyinrestrainingmyexpressionsofdelight。
"Lookbehindtolarboard，"hecontinuedinanundertone。
AffectinganindifferencewhichIwasfarfromfeeling，I
castananxiousglancetothatquarterofthehorizonofwhichhespoke，andthere，althoughminewasnotanauticaleye，Icouldplainlydistinguishtheoutlineofashipundersail。
Almostatthesamemomenttheboatswainwhohappenedtobelookinginthesamedirection，raisedthecry，"Shipahoy！"
Whetheritwasthatnoonebelievedit，orwhetherallenergieswereexhausted，certainitisthattheannouncementproducednoneoftheeffectsthatmighthavebeenexpected。
Notasoulexhibitedtheslightestemotion，anditwasonlywhentheboatswainhadseveraltimessungouthistidingsthatalleyesturnedtothehorizon。There，mostundeniably，wastheship，butthequestionroseatoncetothemindsofall，andtothelipsofmany，"Wouldsheseeus？"
Thesailorsimmediatelybegandiscussingthebuildofthevessel，andmadeallsortsofconjecturesastothedirectionshewastaking。Curtiswasfarmoredeliberateinhisjudg—
ment。Afterexaminingherattentivelyforsometime，hesaid，"Sheisabrigrunningcloseuponthewind，onthestar—
boardtack。Ifshekeepshercourseforacoupleofhours，shewillcomerightathwartourtracks。"
Acoupleofhours！Thewordssoundedtoourearslikeacoupleofcenturies。Theshipmightchangehercourseatanymoment;closelytrimmedasshewas，itwasveryprobablethatshewasonlytackingabouttocatchthewind，inwhichcase，assoonasshefeltabreeze，shewouldr俿um？
herlarboardtackandmakeawayagain。Ontheotherhand，ifshewasreallysailingwiththewind，shewouldcomenearertous，andtherewouldbegoodgroundforhope。
Meantime，noexertionmustbespared，andnomeansleftuntried，tomakeourpositionknown。Thebrigwasabouttwelvemilestotheeastofus，sothatitwasoutoftheques—
tiontothinkofanycriesofoursbeingoverheard;butCurtisgavedirectionsthateverypossiblesignalshouldbemade。
Wehadnofirearmsbywhichwecouldattractattention，andnothingelseoccurredtousbeyondhoistingaflagofdistress。
MissHerbey’sredshawl，asbeingofacolormostdistin—
guishableagainstthebackgroundofseaandsky，wasrunuptothemast—head，andwascaughtbythelightbreezethatjustthenwasrufflingthesurfaceofthewater。Asadrown—
ingmanclutchesatastraw，soourheartsboundedwithhopeeverytimethatourpoorflagflutteredinthewind。
Foranhourourfeelingsalternatedbetweenhopeanddespair。Theshipwasevidentlymakingherwayinthedi—
rectionoftheraft，buteverynowandthensheseemedtostop，andthenourheartswouldalmoststandstillwithagonylestshewasgoingtoputabout。Shecarriedallhercanvas，eventoherroyalsandstay—sails，butherhullwasonlypartiallyvisibleabovethehorizon。
Howslowlysheadvanced！Thebreezewasvery，veryfeeble，andperhapssoonitwoulddropaltogether！Wefeltthatwewouldgiveyearsofourlifetoknowtheresultofthecominghour。
Athalfpasttwelvethecaptainandtheboatswaincon—
sideredthatthebrigwasaboutninemilesaway;shehad，therefore，gainedonlythreemilesinanhourandahalf，anditwasdoubtfulwhetherthelightbreezethathadbeenpassingoverourheadshadreachedheratall。Ifancied，too，thathersailswerenolongerfilled，butwerehanginglooseagainsthermasts。Turningtothedirectionofthewind，Itriedtomakeoutsomechanceofarisingbreeze;
butno，thewaveswerecalmandtorpid，andthelittlepuffofairthathadarousedourhopeshaddiedawayacrossthesea。
IstoodaftwithM。Letourneur，AndreandMissHerbey，andourglancesperpetuallywanderedfromthedistantshiptoourcaptain’sface。Curtisstoodleaningagainstthemast，withtheboatswainbyhisside;theireyesseemedneverforamomenttoceasetowatchthebrig，buttheircountenancesclearlyexpressedthevaryingemotionsthatpassedthroughtheirminds。Notawordwasuttered，norwasthesilencebroken，untilthecarpenterexclaimed，inaccentsofdespair：
"She’sputtingabout！"
Allstartedup——sometotheirknees，otherstotheirfeet。
Theboatswaindroppedafrightfuloath。Theshipwasstillninemilesaway，andatsuchadistanceitwasimpossibleforoursignaltobeseen;ourtinyraft，amerespeckuponthewaters，wouldbelostintheintenseirradiationofthesun—
beams。Ifonlywecouldbeseen，nodoubtallwouldbewell;nocaptainwouldhavethebarbarousinhumanitytoleaveustoourfate;buttherehadbeennochance;onlytoowellweknewthatwehadnotbeenwithinrangeofsight。
"Myfriends，"saidCurtis，"wemustmakeafire;itisourlastandonlychance。"
Someplankswerequicklyloosenedandthrownintoaheapupontheforepartoftheraft。Theyweredampandtroublesometolight;buttheverydampnessmadethesmokemoredense，anderelongatallcolumnofduskyfumeswasrisingstraightupwardintheair。Ifdarknessshouldcomeonbeforethebrigwascompletelyoutofview，theflames，wehopedmightstillbevisible。Butthehourspassedon;
thefirediedout;andyetnosignsofhelp。
Thetemperofresignationnowdesertedmeentirely;
faith，hope，confidence——allvanishedfrommymind，and，liketheboatswain，Isworelongandloudly。Agentlehandwaslaiduponmyarm，andturningroundIsawMissHerbeywithherfingerpointingtothesky。Icouldstanditnolonger，butglidingunderneaththetentIhidmyfaceinmyhandsandweptaloud。
Meanwhilethebrighadalteredhertrack，andwasmovingslowlytotheeast。Threehourslaterandthekeenesteyecouldnothavediscernedhertop—sailsabovethehorizon。
CHAPTERXLIV
THEDEPTHSOFDESPAIR
JANUARY15。——Afterthisfurthershatteringofourex—
citedhopes，deathalonenowstaresusintheface;slowandlingeringasthatdeathmaybe，soonerorlateritmustin—
evitablycome。
To—daysomecloudsthatroseinthewesthavebroughtusafewpuffsofwind;andinspiteofourprostration，weap—
preciatethemoderation，slightasitis，inthetemperature。
Tomyparchedthroattheairseemedalittlelesstrying;butitisnowsevendayssincetheboatswaintookhishauloffish，andduringthatperiodwehadeatennothing;evenAndreLetourneurfinishedyesterday，thelastmorselofthebiscuitwhichhissorrowfulandself—denyingfatherhadin—
trustedtomycharge。
Jynxstrop，thenegro，hasbrokenloosefromhisconfine—
ment，butCurtishastakennomeasuresforputtinghimagainunderrestraint。Itisnottobeapprehendedthatthemiserablefellowandhisaccomplices，weakenedastheyarebytheirprotractedfast，willattempttodousanymischiefnow。
Somehugesharksmadetheirappearanceto—day，cleavingthewaterrapidlywiththeirgreatblackfins。Themonsterscameupclosetotheedgeoftheraft，andFlaypole，whowasleaningover，narrowlyescapedhavinghisarmsnappedoffbyoneofthem。Icouldnothelpregardingthemaslivingsepulchers，whicherelongmightswallowupourmiserablecarcasses;yet，withal，Iprofessthatmyfeelingswerethoseoffascinationratherthanhorror。
Theboatswain，whostoodwithclenchedteethanddilatedeye，regardedthesesharksfromquiteanotherpointofview。
Hethoughtaboutdevouringthesharks，notaboutthesharksdevouringhim;andifhecouldsucceedincatchingone，I
doubtifoneofuswouldrejectthetoughanduntemptingflesh。Hedeterminedtomaketheattempt，andashehadnowhirlwhichhecouldfastentohisropehesettoworktofindsomethingthatmightserveasasubstitute。CurtisandDowlaswereconsulted，andafterashortconversation，duringwhichtheykeptthrowingbitsofropeandsparsintothewaterinordertoenticethesharkstoremainbytheraft，Dowlaswentandfetchedhiscarpenter’stool，whichisatonceahatchetandahammer。Ofthisheproposedtomakethewhirlofwhichtheywereinneed，underthehopethateitherthesharpedgeoftheadzeorthepointedextremityoppositewouldstickfirmlyintothejawsofanysharkthatmightswallowit。Thewoodenhandleofthehammerwassecuredtotherope，which，initsturnwastightlyfastenedtotheraft。
Witheager，almostbreathless，excitementwestoodwatch—
ingthepreparations，atthesametimeusingeverymeansinourpowertoattracttheattentionofthesharks。Assoonasthewhirlwasreadytheboatswainbegantothinkaboutbait，and，talkingrapidlytohimself，ransackedeverycorneroftheraft，asthoughheexpectedtofindsomedeadbodycomingopportunelytosight。Buthissearchendedinnoth—
ing;andtheonlyplanthatsuggesteditselfwasagaintohaverecoursetoMissHerbey’sredshawl，ofwhichafrag—
mentwaswrappedaroundtheheadofthehammer。Aftertestingthestrengthofhisline，andreassuringhimselfthatitwasfastenedfirmlybothtothehammerandtotheraft，theboatswainlowereditintothewater。
Theseawasquitetransparent，andanyobjectwasclearlyvisibletoadepthoftwohundredfeetbelowthesurface。
Leaningoverthelowparapetoftheraftwelookedoninbreathlesssilence，asthescarletrag，distinctasitwasagainstthebluemassofwater，madeitsslowdescent。Butonebyonethesharksseemedtodisappear。Theycouldnot，how—
ever，havegonefaraway，anditwasnotlikelythatany—
thingintheshapeofbaitdroppednearthemwouldlongescapetheirkeenvoracity。
Suddenly，withoutspeaking，theboatswainraisedhishandandpointedtoadarkmassskimmingalongthesurfaceofthewater，andmakingstraightinourdirection。Itwasashark，certainlynotlessthantwelvefeetlong。Assoonasthecreaturewasaboutfourfathomsfromtheraft，theboatswaingentlydrewinhislineuntilthewhirlwasinsuchapositionthatthesharkmustcrossrightoverit;atthesametimeheshookthelinealittle，thathemightgivethewhirltheappearance，ifhecould，ofbeingsomethingaliveandmoving。Asthecreaturecamenear，myheartbeatviolently;Icouldseeitseyesflashingabovethewaves;anditsgapingjaws，asitturnedhalfoveronitsback，exhibitedlongrowsofpointedteeth。
Iknownotwhoitwas，butsomeoneatthatmomentutteredaninvoluntarycryofhorror。Thesharkcametoastandstill，turnedabout，andescapedquiteoutofsight。Theboatswainwaspalewithanger。
"Thefirstmanwhospeaks，"hesaid，"Iwillkillhimonthespot。"
Againheappliedhimselftohistask。Thewhirlwasagainlowered，thistimetothedepthoftwentyfathoms，butforhalfanhourormorenotasharkcouldbedistin—
guished;butasthewatersfarbelowseemedsomehowtobetroubledIcouldnothelpbelievingthatsomeofthebrutesatleastwerestillthere。
Allatonce，withaviolentjerk，thecordwaswrestedfromtheboatswain’shands;firmlyattached，however，asitwastotheraft，itwasnotlost。Thebaithadbeenseizedbyashark，andtheironhadmadegooditsholduponthecrea—
ture’sflesh。
"Now，then，mylads，"criedtheboatswain，"haulaway！"
Passengersandsailors，oneandall，putforthwhatstrengththeyhadtodragtherope，butsoviolentwerethecreature’sstrugglesthatitrequiredallourefforts（anditisneedlesstosaytheywerewillingenough）tobringittothesurface。Atlength，afterexertionsthatalmostexhaustedus，thewaterbecameagitatedbytheviolentflappingsofthetailandfins;andlookingdownIsawthehugecarcassofthesharkwrithingconvulsivelyamidwavesthatwerestainedwithblood。
"Steady！steady！"saidtheboatswain，astheheadap—
pearedaboveThewhirlhadpassedrightthroughthejawintothemid—
dleofthethroat，sothatnostruggleonthepartoftheani—
malcouldpossiblyreleaseit。Dowlasseizedthehatchet，readytodispatchthebrutethemomentitshouldbelandedontheraft。Ashortsharpsnapwasheard。Thesharkhadcloseditsjaws，andbittenthroughthewoodenhandleofthehammer。Anothermomentandithadturnedroundandwascompletelygone。
Ahowlofdespairburstfromallourlips。Allthelaborandthepatience，allhadbeeninvain。Dowlasmadeafewmoreunsuccessfulattempts，butasthewhirlwaslost，andtheyhadnomeansofreplacingit，therewasnofurtherroomforhope。Theydid，indeed，lowersomecordstwistedintorunningknots，but（asmighthavebeenex—
pected）theseonlyslippedover，withoutholding，theslimybodiesofthesharks。Asalastresourcetheboatswainallowedhisnakedlegtohangoverthesideoftheraft;
themonsters，however，wereproofevenagainstthisat—
traction。