138 FISHERMEN'S OWN BOOK. 



Fortunately there were three trawl tubs on board, and two of these were 

 made fast to the painter of the dory, and did most excellent service as 

 drogues, keeping her head to the sea. The night passed drearily, and they 

 were glad enough when morning dawned ; but the fog still continued to en- 

 velop them, and they concluded to row to the westward. It cleared up 

 occasionally, but they saw no vessel, and night came on again. The next 

 day was also foggy, and they laid to the drogue all day, drifting to the east- 

 ward. Took watch and watch this night, in hopes to catch a glimpse of 

 some light from a passing vessel, but their hopes were disappointed. It 

 rained during the night, and they were fortunate enough to catch a good 

 supply of water in their remaining tub ; of this they drank sparingly, and it 

 served to appease the fearful pangs of thirst and hunger. On the third day 

 they rowed to the northwest in hopes to get into the track of the steamers. 

 The fog still continued, and no vessel was seen, and they passed another 

 night in suspense. The men were by this time getting discouraged, more 

 especially Mr. Austin, who had contracted a severe cold the first night out, 

 and was troubled with such severe shaking of his limbs that he could not 

 sleep. The morning of the fourth day was clear, and it continued moderate 

 through the day. This gave them courage, and although quite weak, they 

 rowed to the westward, keeping an anxious lookout for some welcome sail, 

 and doing their best to keep up each other's courage. A shark came along- 

 side during the day, and they endeavored to catch him, as they would 

 gladly have partaken of anything eatable, but were unsuccessful. When 

 the sun went down that night, the poor fellows felt their hearts sink within 

 them, and they thought their chances of being picked up were rather slim. 

 Roberts was enabled to pass some of the weary hours in sleep, but this boon, 

 for the most part, was denied his companion. The fifth day was foggy, and 

 they rowed a couple of hours, but felt so used up that they gave up pulling, 

 and another dreary night dragged its slow hours along. The sixth day they 

 let the dory drift. Saw the sun once or twice, but no signs of any vessel ; 

 and the night shut down again, bringing sad forebodings. The seventh 

 day was foggy, yet, strange to say, their courage again revived. They had 

 drank sparingly of the water, and it seemed to satisfy the hungry feeling to 

 a great extent, and rowing some three miles to the northward, they put the 

 tubs out and let the dory drift. 



Their longings to be rescued from that open boat can be imagined but 

 not described. The sun went down for the eighth time, and still no signs 

 of relief. They watched eagerly through the early evening hours, and knew 

 full well they could not hold out a great while longer. They talked of their 

 chances as men will talk when in the face of a common danger, and both 

 were of opinion that they could not survive another twenty-four hours. 

 They then lay down, and both men, in the silent depths of their hearts, 



