labored at the oars; the employment of the fifth was baling out the water that leaked through the canvas.  We struggled hard the first night to get out of the reach of our old masters; but when the day broke, we were still within sight of their ships in the haven and road-stead.  Yet, out boat being small, and lying close and snug upon the sea, either was not discovered at all, or else seemed something that was not worth taking up.

On all occasions we found our want of foresight, for now the bread which had lain soaking in the salt water, was quite spoiled, and the tanned skins imparted a nauseous quality to the fresh water.  So long as bread was bread, we made no complaints; with careful economy it lasted three days, but then pale famine, which is the most horrible shape in which death can be painted, began to stare us in the face.  The expedients on which we fell to assuage our thirst rather inflamed it, and several things added to our distress.  For some time the wind was right against us; our labour was incessant, for, although much rowing did not carry us forward, still, cessation of it drove us back; and the season was raging hot, which rendered our toil insupportable.  One small alleviation we had in the man whose province it was to bale the water out of the boat; he threw it on our bodies to cool them.  However, what with the scorching of the sun and cooling of the water, our skin was blistered all over.  By day we were stark naked; by night we had on shirts or loose coats; for we had left our clothing ashore, on purpose to lighten the boat.

One of our number had a pocket dial, which supplied the place of a compass; and, to say the truth, was not ill befitting such a vessel and such mariners.  By its aid we steered our course by day, while the stars served as a guide by night; and, if they were obscured, we guessed our way by the motion of the clouds.  In this woful plight we continued four days and nights.  On the fifth day we were at the brink of despair, and abandoned all hopes of safety.  Thence we ceased our labor, and laid aside our oars; for, either we had no strength left to use them, or were reluctant to waste the little we had to no purpose.  Still we kept emptying the boat, loth to drown, loth to die, yet knowing no means to avoid death.

They that act least commonly wish the most; and, when we had forsaken useful labor, we resorted to fruitless wishes—­that we might be taken up by some ship, if it were but a ship, no matter of what country.

While we lay hulling up and down, our hopes at so low an ebb, we discovered a tortoise, not far from us, asleep in the sea.  Had the great Drake discovered the Spanish plate fleet, he could not have been more rejoiced.  Once again we bethought ourselves of our oars, and silently rowing to our prey, took it into the boat in great triumph.  Having cut off its head, and let it bleed in a vessel, we drank the blood, ate the liver, and sucked the flesh.  Our