We accordingly steered for Quibo, having very uncertain winds and variable weather, and were thirteen days on this short allowance.  No one who has not experienced it can conceive our sufferings in this sultry climate, by the perpetual extremity of thirst, which would not permit us to eat an ounce of victuals in a day.  We even drank our urine, which moistened our mouths indeed, but excited our thirst the more.  Some even drank large draughts of sea-water, which had like to have killed them. [275] On the 25th April we came to the island of Cano, in lat. 8 deg. 47’ N. which, by the verdure, promised to yield us water, if our canoe could get on shore.  In this hope we came to anchor off the north-west side of this island, when it was as much as we could do to hand our sails, stop our cable, and execute the other necessary labours, so greatly were we reduced.  We imagined we could see a run of water, yet dreaded the dangerous surf which broke all round those parts of the island we could see.  Mr Randal was sent with some jars, to try what could be done; and as he did not appear again when very late at night, I became apprehensive he was either lost, or, not finding water on the island, had gone in search of it to the continent.  At length he came back, with his jars filled, and any one may guess our unspeakable joy on being thus opportunely delivered from the jaws of death.  He did not bring above sixty or seventy gallons, and I was at great pains to restrain my men from using it immoderately, allowing only a quart to be distributed immediately to each man.  What made me the more strict on this occasion was, that Mr Randal assured me we should hardly get any more, the breakers were so very dangerous.  That very night we chanced to have a shower of rain, on which we used every expedient for catching it, in sheets, blankets, and sails.  During our long thirst we had continually wished for rainy weather, and had often good reason to expect it, by seeing many louring black clouds, which seemed every minute ready to discharge their burdens, yet never did before to any purpose.  Next day I sent our boatswain to make another essay; but after going round the whole island, and wasting the entire day in search of a smooth beach, he could not see a single spot where he might venture on shore.  Thinking we had a sufficient stock to carry us to Quibo, we weighed next day; and while ranging near the island, we saw a smooth beach, on which I sent our canoe again, which brought back nine jars full of water.

[Footnote 275:  It may not be improper to state, that in such extremity for want of water, great relief has been experienced by remaining immersed for some time in the sea; the lymphatics of the skin absorbing water to supply and relieve the system very materially.—­E.]