400 DESTRUCTION OF THE ESSEX. 
reached in hope, but were bitterly disappointed. There were 
some barren bushes and many rocks on this forlorn spot. 
The only provisions that we could procure were a few birds 
and their eggs : this supply was soon reduced ; the sea-fowls 
appeared to have been frightened away, and their nests were 
left empty after we had once or twice plundered them. What 
distressed us most was the utter want of fresh water ; we could 
not find a drop any where, till, at the extreme verge of ebb tide, 
a small spring was discovered in the sand ; but even that was 
too scanty to afford us sufficient to quench our thirst before it 
was covered by the waves at their turn. 
There being no prospect but that of starvation here, we de- 
termined to put to sea again. Three of our comrades, how- 
ever, chose to remain, and we pledged ourselves to send a 
vessel to bring them off, if we ourselves should ever escape 
to a Christian port. With a very small quantity of biscuit for 
each, and a little water, we again ventured out on the wide 
ocean. In the course of a few days our provisions were con- 
sumed. Two men died; we had no other alternative than 
to live on their remains. These Avere roasted to dryness by 
means of fires kindled on the ballast-sand at the bottom of 
the boats. When this supply was spent, what could we do ? 
We looked at each other with horrid thoughts in our minds, 
but we held our tongues. I am sure that we loved one an- 
other as brothers all the time ; and yet our looks told plainly 
what must be done. We cast lots, and the fatal one fell on my 
poor cabin boy. 1 started forward instantly, and cried out, " My 
lad, my lad, if you donU like your lot, I'll shoot the first man 
that touches you." The poor emaciated boy hesitated a moment 
or two ; then, quietly laying his head down upon the gunnel 
of the boat, he said, " / like it as well as any other. ''^ He was 
soon despatched, and nothing of him left. I think, then an- 
other man died of himself, and him too we ate. But I can tell 
you no more — my head is on fire at the recollection ; I hardly 
know what I say. I forgot to say that Ave parted company Avith 
the second boat before now. After some more days of horror 
and despair, Avhen some Avere lying doAvn at the bottom of the 
boat, not able to rise, and scarcely one of us could move a limb, 
a vessel hove in sight We were taken on board and treated 
with extreme kindness. The second boat Avas also picked up 
at sea, and the survivors saA'^ed. A ship afterAA^ard sailed in 
search of our companions on the desolate island, and brought 
them away. 
