216 THE WHALEMAN S ADVENTURES. 



victim upon whom the lot fell met his fate with 

 perfect resignation and willingness. At the 

 close of the day, a shower of rain afforded a 

 very grateful additional relief. 



Being without compass or instruments of 

 any kind, Captain Hosmer was compelled to rely 

 entirely upon his judgment respecting the course, 

 aided only by an occasional glimpse of the 

 north star and the rolling swell of the sea from 

 the south. On the eighth day another of the 

 number died from exhaustion. It was found 

 necessary to pursue a more northerly course in 

 hope of rain, none having fallen during the 

 last four days. 



On the next day they were favoured with 

 another shower, and this benefaction was fol- 

 lowed up by the remarkable circumstance of a 

 dolphin leaping from among its finny com- 

 panions directly into the boat. Several birds, 

 also, approached so near to the boat as to fall a 

 prey to the necessities of the crew, administering 

 greatly to their relief. On the thirteenth of 

 July, land was discovered in an easterly direc- 

 tion, which proved to be Cocus Island (un- 



