that many
long hours would be necessary to accomplish our task--that is, to cut an
opening sufficiently large to admit of a free access to the storeroom.
This consideration, however, did not discourage us; and, working all
night by the light of the moon, we succeeded in effecting our purpose by
daybreak on the morning of the twenty-third.

Peters now volunteered to go down; and, having made all arrangements
as before, he descended, and soon returned bringing up with him a small
jar, which, to our great joy, proved to be full of olives. Having
shared these among us, and devoured them with the greatest avidity,
we proceeded to let him down again. This time he succeeded beyond our
utmost expectations, returning instantly with a large ham and a bottle
of Madeira wine. Of the latter we each took a moderate sup, having
learned by experience the pernicious consequences of indulging too
freely. The ham, except about two pounds near the bone, was not in a
condition to be eaten, having been entirely spoiled by the salt water.
The sound part was divided among us. Peters and Augustus, not being able
to restrain their appetite, swallowed theirs upon the instant; but I was
more cautious, and ate but a small portion of mine, dreading the thirst
which I knew would ensue. We now rested a while from our labors, which
had been intolerably severe.

By noon, feeling somewhat strengthened and refreshed, we again renewed
our attempt at getting up provisions, Peters and myself going down
alternately, and always with more or less success, until sundown. During
this interval we had the good fortune to bring up, altogether, four
more small jars of olives, another ham, a carboy containing nearly three
gallons of excellent Cape Madeira wine, and, what gave us still more
delight, a small tortoise of the Gallipago breed, several of which had
been taken on board by Captain Barnard, as the _Grampus_ was leaving
port, from the schooner _Mary Pitts_, just returned from a sealing
voyage in the Pacific.

In a subsequent portion of this narrative I shall have frequent occasion
to mention this species of tortoise. It is found principally, as most
of my readers may know, in the group of islands called the Gallipagos,
which, indeed, derive their name from the animal--the Spanish word
Gallipago meaning a fresh-water terrapin. From the peculiarity of their
shape and action they have been sometimes called the elephant tortoise.
They are frequently found of an