At day-break on the 3rd, the forlorn and almost hopeless navigators saw with alarm the sun to rise fiery and red,—­a sure indication of a severe gale of wind; and accordingly, at eight o’clock it blew a violent storm, and the sea ran so very high, that the sail was becalmed when between the seas, and too much to have set when on the top of the sea; yet it is stated that they could not venture to take it in, as they were in very imminent danger and distress, the sea curling over the stern of the boat, and obliging them to bale with all their might.  ‘A situation,’ observes the commander, ’more distressing has, perhaps, seldom been experienced.’

The bread, being in bags, was in the greatest danger of being spoiled by the wet, the consequence of which, if not prevented, must have been fatal, as the whole party would inevitably be starved to death, if they should fortunately escape the fury of the waves.  It was determined, therefore, that all superfluous clothes, with some rope and spare sails, should be thrown overboard, by which the boat was considerably lightened.  The carpenter’s tool-chest was cleared, and the tools stowed in the bottom of the boat, and the bread secured in the chest.  All the people being thoroughly wet and cold, a teaspoonful of rum was served out to each person, with a quarter of a bread-fruit, which is stated to have been scarcely eatable, for dinner; Bligh having determined to preserve sacredly, and at the peril of his life, the engagement they entered into, and to make their small stock of provisions last eight weeks, let the dally proportion be ever so small.

The sea continuing to run even higher than in the morning, the fatigue of baling became very great; the boat was necessarily kept before the sea.  The men were constantly wet, the night very cold, and at daylight their limbs were so benumbed, that they could scarcely find the use of them.  At this time a teaspoonful of rum served out to each person was found of great benefit to all.  Five small cocoa-nuts were distributed for dinner, and every one was satisfied; and in the evening, a few broken pieces of bread-fruit were served for supper, after which prayers were performed.

On the night of the 4th and morning of the 5th, the gale had abated; the first step to be taken was to examine the state of the bread, a great part of which was found to be damaged and rotten—­but even this was carefully preserved for use.  The boat was now running among some islands, but after their reception at Tofoa, they did not venture to land.  On the 6th, they still continued to see islands at a distance; and this day, for the first time, they hooked a fish, to their great joy; ‘but,’ says the commander, ’we were miserably disappointed by its being lost in trying to get it into the boat.’  In the evening, each person had an ounce of the damaged bread, and a quarter of a pint of water for supper.