en were all starving, and not
keeping them an instant longer without food than he could help.

On receipt of his order, therefore, I hastened away, returning almost
immediately with one of the sailors and Cuffee, who asserted his right
of coming for the food; but, while I was absent Jake had procured a
knife that was used for opening the tins of preserved meat out of the
steward's pantry, where, from its being hung on a hook, it had escaped
being lost among the other debris. With this useful little article he
now proceeded to take off the tops of the cases containing the boiled
mutton, Cuffee and his assistant parcelling the same out under the
captain's eye.

The cabin table had been set upon its legs again and the provisions
placed upon it, when the men being ordered to file in, Captain Miles
distributed a small portion of the meat with a couple of biscuits to
each. He advised them to eat slowly and moderately, saying that if they
did otherwise they would feel very badly afterwards, on account of
having gone so long without food.

Mr Marline and Jackson and myself were also rationed out in similar
fashion, each and all of us, irrespective of position, being treated on
an equality and Captain Miles himself only taking the same quantity that
he gave us; then, when all had thus broken their fast, the men were
dismissed and allowed to carry off away forward the greater portion of
the provisions that had been got out for them, although with strict
injunctions still to eat sparingly, at all events on this first day of
their tasting any nourishment. They were likewise told to be careful
not to drink too much water, Jackson, who had charge of the cask, being
ordered to use discretion.

"We are only thirteen all told now aft--a baker's dozen, men," said the
captain, "and I wish to carry you home in good health with me to
England; so, mind what you are after, for my sake if not for your own!
We have weathered the gale, and stuck to the ship though bottom upwards,
for nigh on three days, braving the perils of the deep in the way of
sharks and such like; consequently I think it would be hard lines on me
if I couldn't fetch you safe into port in the end."

"You're a real good sort, Cap'en Miles, that's what you are!" cried
Moggridge--acting as spokesman for the rest by general consent
apparently, for the others gave a subdued sort of cheer that seemed to
intimate their acquiescence in his remarks--"and I thinks as how we'd