NOTES. 



Captain Hosmer says nothing occurred worthy of remark 

 until the seventh day, the crew having, in the mean time, 

 been without a particle of food or drink, and not a drop of 

 rain having fallen. In this dreadful state of suffering, it was 

 mutually agreed to cast lots as to which of the number should 

 be sacrificed to prolong the lives of his companions ; and the 

 unfortunate victim upon whom the lot fell met his fate with 

 perfect resignation and willingness. At the close of the day, 

 a shower of rain proved a very grateful additional relief. 



Being without compass or instruments of any kind, Captain 

 Hosmer was compelled to rely entirely upon his judgment re- 

 specting 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 exhaust- 

 ion. It was found necessary to pursue a more northerly 

 course in hope of raiu, none having fallen during the last 

 four days. 



On the next day they were favored with another shower, 

 and this benefaction was followed up by the remarkable cir- 

 cumstance of a dolphin leaping from among its finny compan- 

 ions 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 13th of 

 July land was discovered in an easterly direction, which 

 proved to be Cocus Island (uninhabited), lying in latitude 5 

 27' N. longitude 87 15'. 



Captain Hosmer and the other survivors succeeded in reach- 

 ing it, but in an almost helpless condition. They, however, 

 secured a pig, and drank its blood, which revived their ex- 

 hausted strength, and also obtained a plentiful supply of 

 birds and fresh water. After remaining two days upon the 

 island, they were overjoyed by seeing the approach of a boat, 

 which proved to belong to the ship Leonidas (whaler), Cap- 

 tain Swift, of this port, then lying in Chatham Bay, for the 

 purpose of procuring wood and water, and were relieved 

 from their dreadful BuffVrim 



