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empty； and a blanket； but nothing which could serve us for food。 I
continued my efforts； after getting these articles； until I was
completely exhausted； but brought up nothing else。 During the night
Parker and Peters occupied themselves by turns in the same manner；
but nothing coming to hand； we now gave up this attempt in despair；
concluding that we were exhausting ourselves in vain。
We passed the remainder of this night in a state of the most
intense mental and bodily anguish that can possibly be imagined。 The
morning of the sixteenth at length dawned； and we looked eagerly
around the horizon for relief； but to no purpose。 The sea was still
smooth； with only a long swell from the northward； as on yesterday。
This was the sixth day since we had tasted either food or drink； with
the exception of the bottle of port wine； and it was clear that we
could hold out but a very little while longer unless something could
be obtained。 I never saw before； nor wish to see again； human beings
so utterly emaciated as Peters and Augustus。 Had I met them on shore
in their present condition I should not have had the slightest
suspicion that I had ever beheld them。 Their countenances were
totally changed in character； so that I could not bring myself to
believe them really the same individuals with whom I had been in
company but a few days before。 Parker； although sadly reduced； and so
feeble that he could not raise his head from his bosom； was not so
far gone as the other two。 He suffered with great patience； making no
complaint； and endeavouring to inspire us with hope in every manner
he could devise。 For myself； although at the commencement of the
voyage I had been in bad health； and was at all times of a delicate
constitution； I suffered less than any of us； being much less reduced
in frame； and retaining my powers of mind in a surprising degree；
while the rest were completely prostrated in intellect； and seemed to
be brought to a species of second childhood； generally simpering in
their expressions； with idiotic smiles； and uttering the most absurd
platitudes。 At intervals； however； they would appear to revive
suddenly； as if inspired all at once with a consciousness of their
condition； when they would spring upon their feet in a momentary
flash of vigour； and speak； for a short period； of their prospects；
in a manner altogether rational； although full of the most intense
despair。 It is possible； however； that my companions may have
entertained the same opinion of their own condition as I did of mine；
and that I may have unwittingly been guilty of the same extravagances
and imbecilities as themselves this is a matter which cannot be
determined。
About noon Parker declared that he saw land off the larboard
quarter； and it was with the utmost difficulty I could restrain him
from plunging into the sea with the view of swimming toward it。
Peters and Augustus took little notice of what he said； being
apparently wrapped up in moody contemplation。 Upon looking in the
direction pointed out； I could not perceive the faintest appearance
of the shore indeed； I was too well aware that we were far from
any land to indulge in a hope of that nature。 It was a long time；
nevertheless； before I could convince Parker of his mistake。 He then
burst into a flood of tears； weeping like a child； with loud cries
and sobs； for two or three hours； when becoming exhausted； he fell
asleep。
Peters and Augustus now made several ineffectual efforts to
swallow portions of the leather。 I advised them to chew it and spit
it out； but they were too excessively debilitated to be able to
follow my advice。 I continued to chew pieces of it at intervals； and
found some relief from so doing； my chief distress was for water； and
I was only prevented from taking a draught from the sea by
remembering the horrible consequences which thus have resulted to
others who were similarly situated with ourselves。
The day wore on in this manner； when I suddenly discovered a sail
to the eastward； and on our larboard bow。 She appeared to be a large
ship； and was coming nearly athwart us； being probably twelve or
fifteen miles distant。 None of my companions had as yet discovered
her； and I forbore to tell them of her for the present； lest we might
again be disappointed of relief。 At length upon her getting nearer； I
saw distinctly that she was heading immediately for us； with her
light sails filled。 I could now contain myself no longer； and pointed
her out to my fellow…sufferers。 They immediately sprang to their
feet； again indulging in the most extravagant demonstrations of joy；
weeping； laughing in an idiotic manner； jumping； stamping upon the
deck； tearing their hair； and praying and cursing by turns。 I was so
affected by their conduct； as well as by what I considered a sure
prospect of deliverance； that I could not refrain from joining in
with their madness； and gave way to the impulses of my gratitude and
ecstasy by lying and rolling on the deck； clapping my hands；
shouting； and other similar acts； until I was suddenly called to my
recollection； and once more to the extreme human misery and despair；
by perceiving the ship all at once with her stern fully presented
toward us； and steering in a direction nearly opposite to that in
which I had at first perceived her。
It was some time before I could induce my poor companions to
believe that this sad reverse in our prospects had actually taken
place。 They replied to all my assertions with a stare and a gesture
implying that they were not to be deceived by such
misrepresentations。 The conduct of Augustus most sensibly affected
me。 In spite of all I could say or do to the contrary； he persisted
in saying that the ship was rapidly nearing us； and in making
preparations to go on board of her。 Some seaweed floating by the
brig； he maintained that it was the ship's boat； and endeavoured to
throw himself upon it； howling and shrieking in the most heartrending
manner； when I forcibly restrained him from thus casting himself into
the sea。
Having become in some degree pacified； we continued to watch the
ship until we finally lost sight of her； the weather becoming hazy；
with a light breeze springing up。 As soon as she was entirely gone；
Parker turned suddenly toward me with an expression of countenance
which made me shudder。 There was about him an air of self…possession
which I had not noticed in him until now； and before he opened his
lips my heart told me what he would say。 He proposed； in a few words；
that one of us should die to preserve the existence of the others。
~~~ End of Text of Chapter 11 ~~~
CHAPTER 12
I had for some time past； dwelt upon the prospect of our being
reduced to this last horrible extremity； and had secretly made up my
mind to suffer death in any shape or under any circumstances rather
than resort to such a course。 Nor was this resolution in any degree
weakened by the present intensity of hunger under which I laboured。
The proposition had not been heard by either Peters or Augustus。 I
therefore took Parker aside； and mentally praying to God for power to
dissuade him from the horr