Work of the Fighting Whales 307 



On landing a cave was discovered near the 

 beach, and it was immediately examined. Lying 

 on the floor the searchers found eight human 

 skeletons, and a board in which had been cut 

 with a sailor's knife the words, "Ship Elizibetb of 

 London." 



As the island afforded water, with a little 

 peppergrass, and as it was possible to catch fish 

 on the reef, three of the castaways determined to 

 remain in spite of the manifest fate that had 

 overtaken the men from the Elizabeth. The 

 others renewed their supply of water and sailed 

 away once more. 



In a storm on January 12, 1820, the mate's 

 boat was separated from the other two. Two 

 days later, when he had been away from the 

 island about two weeks, Mr. Chase wrote in his 

 diary (as published; it was, of course, a much- 

 edited diary, for no whaleman was ever guilty of 

 using such language) : 



"We were as yet just able to move about in 

 our boat and slowly perform the necessary labors 

 appertaining to her; but we were fast wasting 

 away with the relaxing effects of the water, and 



