CHAP. xi. LOADS HIS GUN. 227 



thirst increasing, I dragged myself to the water. I 

 thrust my mouth into it, and had partaken of a 

 draught before I discovered that, -instead of fresh, I 

 had swallowed salt water ! 



" If I was ill before, I was worse now. Having 

 sickened and vomited again, I revived a little, and after 

 I had washed the blood from my face and head, I 

 was enabled to sit up with my back against a rock. 

 Whilst thus seated, I observed all the articles which 

 had been dropped, except my cap, which, however, I 

 afterwards found. After sitting for about half-an-hour, 

 I made another attempt to rise, and succeeded, though 

 I reeled about like a drunken fellow, and could scarcely 

 stand steady without the aid of my gun, which I found 

 was not so much bruised as I had expected. Having 

 again assumed my coat and other appendages, I 

 then endeavoured to load my gun with the view of 

 procuring one of the Icelanders which I had seen 

 from the top of the cliff. This, however, proved a 

 very difficult matter ; and when I had loaded the gun 

 I found to my disappointment that I could not bring 

 it to bear upon the object. I made the attempt several 

 times, but was at last obliged to abandon the hope I 

 had entertained of obtaining either of the birds. 



" I was vexed at this, for both came several times 

 within easy shot. All my hopes of procuring the 

 birds being at an end, I then proceeded to view 

 the object in the water round which the birds were 

 hovering, and I was surprised to find it to be the car- 



