206 FAMINE IN THE SHIP PEGGY. 
descried early one morning, and a transient ray of hope 
cheered the unfortunate crew of the Peggy. The sea ran so 
high as to prevent Captain Harrison from approaching the 
ijhips, which were soon out of sight. The disappointed sea- 
men, who were in want of every thing, then fell upon the 
wine and brandy with which the ship was laden. They allot- 
ted to the captain two small jars of water, each containing 
about a gallon, being the remainder of their stock. Some 
days elapsed, during which the men in some measure ap- 
peased the painful cravings of hunger by incessant intoxi- 
cation. 
On the fourth day a ship was observed bearing toward them 
in full sail ; no time was lost in making signals of distress, 
and the crew had the inexpressible satisfaction to perceive 
that they were answered. The sea was sufficiently calm to 
permit the two vessels to approach each other. The strangers 
seemed much affected by the account of their sufferings and 
misfortunes, and promised them a certain quantity of biscuit ; 
but it was not immediately sent on board, the captain alledging, 
as an excuse for the delay, that he had just begun a nautical 
observation which he was desirous to finish. However un- 
reasonable such a pretext appeared under the present circum- 
stances, the famished crew of the Peggy were obliged to sub- 
mit. The time mentioned by the captain had nearly expired, 
when, to their extreme mortification, the latter, regardless of 
his promise, crowded all his sails and bore away. No lan- 
guage is adequate to describe the despair and consternation 
which then overwhelmed the crew. Enraged and destitute of 
hope, they fell upon whatever they had spared til] then. The 
only animals that remained on board were a couple of pi- 
geons and a cat, which were devoured in an instant. The on- 
ly favor they showed the captain was to reserve for him the 
head of the cat. He afterward declared, that however disgust- 
ing it would have been on any other occasion, he thought it 
at that moment a treat exquisitely delicious. The unfortunate 
men then supported their existence by living on oil, candles, 
and leather, and these were entirely consumed by the 28th 
of December. 
From that day until the 13th of January it is impossible 
to tell in what manner they subsisted. Captain Harrison had 
been for some time unable to leave his cabin, being confined 
to his bed by a severe fit of the gout. On the last mention- 
ed day the sailors went to him in a body, with the mate at ' 
their head ; the latter acted as spokesman, and after an af- 
