A RUN ASHORE 127 



made for completing our supplies in every possible way, 

 and in particular we had to take on board all the fresh 

 water we could. The consumption of this commodity 

 would be very large, and the possibility of running short 

 had to be avoided at any price. For the time being we 

 could do no more than fill all our tanks and every 

 imaginable receptacle with the precious fluid, and this 

 was done. We took about 1,000 gallons in the long- 

 boat that was carried just above the main hatch. This 

 was rather a risky experiment, which might have had 

 awkward consequences in the event of the vessel rolling ; 

 but we consoled ourselves with the hope of fine weather 

 and a smooth sea during the next few weeks. During 

 the stay at Funchal the dogs had two good meals of 

 fresh meat as a very welcome variety in their diet; a 

 fair-sized carcass of a horse disappeared with impressive 

 rapidity at each of these banquets. For our own use we 

 naturally took a plentiful supply of vegetables and fruits, 

 which were here to be had in abundance; it was the 

 last opportunity we should have of regaling ourselves 

 with such luxuries. 



Our stay at Funchal was somewhat longer than was 

 intended at first, as the engineers found it necessary to 

 take up the propeller and examine the brasses. This 

 work would occupy two days, and while the three 

 mechanics were toiling in the heat, the rest of the 

 ship's company took the opportunity of becoming 

 acquainted with the town and its surroundings; the 



