traffic as the _Pandora_
might be crossing westward with slaves, or returning for a fresh cargo.
There was yet other vessels that occasionally navigated this part of the
Atlantic--cruisers on their way from the African coast to the Brazils,
or warships from Gibraltar, going round the Horn into the Pacific, or
passing from the Cape of Good Hope to the West Indies.

All these chances were eagerly brought forward by the men, and discussed
with every circumstance of minuteness. Every point was produced that
seemed to promise a hope of deliverance; for most, if not all, of these
outlaws were seamen of experience, and well knew the ways of the ocean.
Some held the opinion that our chances of being picked up were not so
bad after all. There was a sail that could be rigged, by means of oars
and handspikes, and spread out so as to be visible from afar. Some ship
would be certain to come along and see us, and then all would be right
again.

So talked those of more sanguine temperament; but the wiser ones shook
their heads and doubted. They reasoned in an opposite strain, and made
use of arguments, the force of which could not be denied, and which
produced great discouragement. There are some who seem always to prefer
exhibiting the darker side of the picture--perhaps not from any pleasure
that it gives them to do so, but, by accustoming themselves to the worst
view of the case they may be the better able to endure it when it comes.
Otherwise, in the event of success, that they may derive all the
greater enjoyment from the reaction.

These last alleged that the chances of meeting with any vessel in that
solitary part of the ocean were slight, very slight indeed; that even if
there were ships--hundreds of them--how could they approach the raft
during a calm? Of course the ships would be becalmed as they themselves
were, and would have to remain so as long as the calm continued. This
would be likely to last for weeks, and how were they to exist for weeks?
How long would their provisions keep them alive? Not weeks; a few days
perhaps, not more?

These remarks led to an immediate examination of the stock of provisions
that had been brought away from the wreck; and every article on the raft
was now turned up and scrutinised. Strange to say the only thing of
which there was a tolerable supply was water. The large cask that had
hitherto stood on deck--and which was still nearly half-full--was now
upon the raft. It had been