two spritsails and a jib. They also got some
light cedar planking used to repair the boats, and with it built the
gunwales up six inches all around.

{237}

On the 22nd of November, being then in 120 W. Long., and just north of
the equator, the officers took counsel together as to what to do. The
nearest lands were the Marquesas Islands, fifteen hundred miles away;
the Society Islands, twenty-four hundred miles away, and the Sandwich
Islands, three thousand miles away. They knew little about the first
two groups, save that they were inhabited by fierce and treacherous
savages from whom they had as much to fear as from the perils of the
sea. The Sandwich Islands were too far away, and they would be apt to
meet hurricanes, prevalent at that season, should they attempt to reach
them. After a long deliberation they decided to take advantage of the
southeast trades by sailing by the wind until they reached the
twenty-fifth parallel of south latitude. Then falling in with westerly
and variable winds, they could turn east and run for the coast of Chili
or Peru. This course involved the longest voyage, but it also promised
the greatest chance for success.

Sometimes they made good progress with favorable winds. At other times
they lay immobile in the blazing tropic sunlight which was almost
unbearable. Often they were buffeted by fierce squalls or wild storms,
especially as they left the equator. Only the important incidents of
their unparalleled voyage can be dwelt upon. Most of the events
mentioned happened in the mate's boat, but the experience of the boat
epitomes that of the others.

The mate's boat was the smallest. He was allotted five men. The other
two boats each contained one more man. The men were put on an
allowance of one sea-biscuit, weighing about one pound and a quarter,
and a pint of water a day. In the mate's boat the provisions were kept
in his chest, which he {238} locked. The men behaved in the most
exemplary manner. In only one instance did any one ever attempt to
steal provisions. They ran into a storm on the 24th, which wet some of
their biscuit, and as it was necessary to get rid of the damaged bread
as soon as possible, the daily allowance was taken from the spoiled
portion exclusively. The soaked biscuit were very salt and greatly
increased their thirst.

During the long and exhausting voyage, a plank started in the mate's
boat, and it was with difficulty that they heeled it