258 
VOYAGE IN THE BOATS. 
of rum, was served out to the two boats. Of meat and biscuit we 
had enough to last on a short allowance to the end of our voyage, 
if it should prove at all favourable ; but of water we had not more 
than seven or eight gallons for forty-seven persons. Of rum and 
wine there was a full quantity ; but these were more likely to 
increase than assuage thirst, from which, considering our latitude, 
we were to expect our chief suffering. But our apprehensions 
in this respect were in some measure relieved about ten o’clock in 
the morning, by a heavy fall of rain, of which we caught seven 
or eight gallons by different methods. Having an awning over the 
after-part of the boat, we obtained a considerable quantity of the 
water which ran from it, but found it so strongly impregnated with 
paint as not to be drinkable. A blanket was therefore spread, and 
soon gave a bucket full : an inverted umbrella, which collected water 
as in a funnel, was also of great use. 
At twelve o’clock at noon we were, by several observations, in 
lat. 3° 39' South', long. 106° 39' East, Batavia bearing S. S. W. dis- 
tant 152 miles. A squall, which brought the rain, having been 
followed by a dead calm, the crews of the boats were immediately 
divided into two watches each, who rowed alternately. At the 
close of day the barge spoke the cutter and gave her an allowance 
of biscuit and rum, and a light, which had been obtained with the 
greatest difficulty by firing gunpowder on oakum. 
At the approach of night a gloom stole over our spirits, and was 
considerably increased by the calm, which, calling for a great exer- 
tion on the part of the men, made us tremble for their strength, 
whilst it gave the probability of a long and painful voyage. To 
relieve them as much as possible, every person of the suite occa- 
sionally rowed, exciting by his example the emulation of the men ; 
but the cheering exhortations of our gallant officer accompanying 
the strokes of his effective oar, was of more sensible advantage : 
“ Never say die my lads,” was a certain appeal to the energy and 
the pride of his men. 
The calm continued all night, but a breeze which sprung up the 
