The day has passed away in silence. A general depression has
fallen upon all: the spectre of famine has appeared amongst us,
and each has remained wrapped in his own gloomy meditations,
though each has doubtless but one idea dominant in his mind.
Once, as I passed near the group of sailors lying on the fore
part of the raft, I heard Flaypole say with a sneer,--
"Those who are going to die had better make haste about it."
"Yes," said Owen, "leave their share of food to others."
At the regular hour each person received his half-pound of
biscuit. Some, I noticed, swallowed it ravenously, others
reserved it for another time. Falsten divided his ration into
several portions, corresponding, I believe, to the number of
meals to which he was ordinarily accustomed. What prudence he
shows! If any one survives this misery, I think it will be he.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
DECEMBER 23rd to 30th--After the storm the wind settled back into
its old quarter, blowing pretty briskly from the north-east. As
the breeze was all in our favour it was important to make the
most of it, and after Dowlas had carefully readjusted the mast,
the sail was once more hoisted, and we were carried along at the
rate of two or two and a half knots an hour. A new rudder,
formed of a spar and a good-sized plank, has been fitted in the
place of the one we lost, but with the wind in its present
quarter it is in little requisition. The platform of the raft
has been repaired, the disjointed planks have been closed by
means of ropes and wedges, and that portion of the parapet that
was washed away has been replaced, so that we are no longer
wetted by the waves.
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