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？