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ground （thrown in； I imagine； by mistake； for something else）； two
small casks of water； and about half…a…gallon of rum in a keg。 The
Surf…boat； having rather more rum than we； and fewer to drink it；
gave us； as I estimated； another quart into our keg。 In return； we
gave them three double handfuls of coffee； tied up in a piece of a
handkerchief； they reported that they had aboard besides； a bag of
biscuit； a piece of beef； a small cask of water； a small box of
lemons； and a Dutch cheese。 It took a long time to make these
exchanges； and they were not made without risk to both parties； the
sea running quite high enough to make our approaching near to one
another very hazardous。 In the bundle with the coffee； I conveyed
to John Steadiman （who had a ship's compass with him）； a paper
written in pencil； and torn from my pocket…book； containing the
course I meant to steer； in the hope of making land； or being picked
up by some vesselI say in the hope； though I had little hope of
either deliverance。 I then sang out to him； so as all might hear；
that if we two boats could live or die together； we would； but； that
if we should be parted by the weather； and join company no more；
they should have our prayers and blessings； and we asked for theirs。
We then gave them three cheers； which they returned； and I saw the
men's heads droop in both boats as they fell to their oars again。
These arrangements had occupied the general attention advantageously
for all； though （as I expressed in the last sentence） they ended in
a 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 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 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； th