any casks, whose weight proclaimed them full, they would
find a few containing fresh-water. All had now been carefully examined.
Every bung had been taken out, and the contents tasted; but in every
case disappointment was the result. Nothing but the bitter brine of the
sea was found inside.

Every one of them had been examined and tried by several of the crew--
doubt and apprehension were at an end. The truth had now been reached,
was known to a certainty by all--and the result was a general paroxysm
of despair.

Rage, too, freely exhibited itself. Some, who considered themselves
innocent of having brought about this dilemma, accused and incriminated
those who were responsible for it; and some were bold enough openly to
charge the captain and mate with the neglect. Mutinous language was
freely used, threats uttered aloud, and for awhile all discipline
appeared to have departed from the ship.

After a long time spent in stormy altercation and the profuse exchange
of oaths and menaces, the angry tone died away, and all parties began to
assume a more pacific bearing towards each other. The common danger
made them friends again, or at all events put a stop to their useless
hostility; and at length, calming down to greater moderation, each
proceeded to offer suggestions, or listen to them, about what measures
should be adopted under the circumstances.

Of course, the first idea was, that the water should from this time
forth be measured out: but the question was, how much at a time? and how
often should the rations be issued? This required a nice calculation to
be made; and in this calculation all had the greatest interest. If too
large a quantity were to be allowed daily, then the stock might be
exhausted before relief should be near, and they must perish all the
same. How long would a hundred gallons last? and at what rate might
they use it? These were the two questions of importance.

These calculations were easy enough. There were just forty of the
crew--officers included--and these last were now to be put on equal
rations with the rest; for, in this crisis of peril, the government of
the _Pandora_ had suddenly assumed the form of a republic. Both captain
and mate had lost their authority, and hereafter everything was to be
conducted on the commonwealth system--share and share alike.

There were forty then in all, and, as near as could be ascertained,
about one hundred gallons of water.

After all, th