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THE WRECK OF THE GOLDEN MARY
sorrowful feeling。 I now said a few words to my fellow…voyagers on the
subject of the small stock of food on which our lives depended if they
were preserved from the great deep； and on the rigid necessity of our eking
it out in the most frugal manner。 One and all replied that whatever
allowance I thought best to lay down should be strictly kept to。 We made a
pair of scales out of a thin scrap of iron…plating and some twine； and I got
together for weights such of the heaviest buttons among us as I calculated
made up some fraction over two ounces。 This was the allowance of solid
food served out once a…day to each； from that time to the end； with the
addition of a coffee…berry； or sometimes half a one； when the weather was
very fair； for breakfast。 We had nothing else whatever； but half a pint of
water each per day； and sometimes； when we were coldest and weakest； a
teaspoonful of rum each； served out as a dram。 I know how learnedly it
can be shown that rum is poison； but I also know that in this case； as in all
similar cases I have ever read ofwhich are numerousno words can
express the comfort and support derived from it。 Nor have I the least doubt
that it saved the lives of far more than half our number。 Having mentioned
half a pint of water as our daily allowance； I ought to observe that
sometimes we had less； and sometimes we had more； for much rain fell；
and we caught it in a canvas stretched for the purpose。
Thus； at that tempestuous time of the year； and in that tempestuous
part of the world； we shipwrecked people rose and fell with the waves。 It
is not my intention to relate （if I can avoid it） such circumstances
appertaining to our doleful condition as have been better told in many
other narratives of the kind than I can be expected to tell them。 I will only
note； in so many passing words； that day after day and night after night；
we received the sea upon our backs to prevent it from swamping the boat；
that one party was always kept baling； and that every hat and cap among
us soon got worn out； though patched up fifty times； as the only vessels we
had for that service； that another party lay down in the bottom of the boat；
while a third rowed； and that we were soon all in boils and blisters and
rags。
The other boat was a source of such anxious interest to all of us that I
used to wonder whether； if we were saved； the time could ever come when
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THE WRECK OF THE GOLDEN MARY
the survivors in this boat of ours could be at all indifferent to the fortunes
of the survivors in that。 We got out a tow…rope whenever the weather
permitted； but that did not often happen； and how we two parties kept
within the same horizon； as we did； He； who mercifully permitted it to be
so for our consolation； only knows。 I never shall forget the looks with
which； when the morning light came； we used to gaze about us over the
stormy waters； for the other boat。 We once parted company for seventy…
two hours； and we believed them to have gone down； as they did us。 The
joy on both sides when we came within view of one another again； had
something in a manner Divine in it； each was so forgetful of individual
suffering； in tears of delight and sympathy for the people in the other boat。
I have been wanting to get round to the individual or personal part of
my subject； as I call it； and the foregoing incident puts me in the right way。
The patience and good disposition aboard of us； was wonderful。 I was not
surprised by it in the women； for all men born of women know what great
qualities they will show when men will fail； but； I own I was a little
surprised by it in some of the men。 Among one…and…thirty people
assembled at the best of times； there will usually； I should say； be two or
three uncertain tempers。 I knew that I had more than one rough temper
with me among my own people； for I had chosen those for the Long…boat
that I might have them under my eye。 But； they softened under their
misery； and were as considerate of the ladies； and as compassionate of the
child； as the best among us； or among menthey could not have been
more so。 I heard scarcely any complaining。 The party lying down would
moan a good deal in their sleep； and I would often notice a mannot
always the same man； it is to be understood； but nearly all of them at one
time or othersitting moaning at his oar； or in his place； as he looked
mistily over the sea。 When it happened to be long before I could catch his
eye； he would go on moaning all the time in the dismallest manner； but；
when our looks met； he would brighten and leave off。 I almost always got
the impression that he did not know what sound he had been making； but
that he thought he had been humming a tune。
Our sufferings from cold and wet were far greater than our sufferings
from hunger。 We managed to keep the child warm； but； I doubt if any one
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THE WRECK OF THE GOLDEN MARY
else among us ever was warm for five minutes together； and the shivering；
and the chattering of teeth； were sad to hear。 The child cried a little at first
for her lost playfellow； the Golden Mary； but hardly ever whimpered
afterwards； and when the state of the weather made it possible； she used
now and then to be held up in the arms of some of us； to look over the sea
for John Steadiman's boat。 I see the golden hair and the innocent face now；
between me and the driving clouds； like an angel going to fly away。
It had happened on the second day； towards night； that Mrs。 Atherfield；
in getting Little Lucy to sleep； sang her a song。 She had a soft； melodious
voice； and； when she had finished it； our people up and begged for another。
She sang them another； and after it had fallen dark ended with the Evening
Hymn。 From that time； whenever anything could be heard above the sea
and wind； and while she had any voice left； nothing would serve the
people but that she should sing at sunset。 She always did； and always
ended with the Evening Hymn。 We mostly took up the last line； and shed
tears when it was done； but not miserably。 We had a prayer night and
morning； also； when the wea