Willy. "That is to say, if we have any tea-leaves to make it with, and
to be sure we have but a small supply of water for the purpose."

"We must see about that," said the doctor. "We will try to manufacture
a still to turn salt water into fresh."

"But the charcoal will go but a little way for that purpose," remarked
his young companion.

"Nil desperandum," answered the doctor. "We will try what can be done."

"Here's a case which looks like a tea-chest," remarked one of the men
who was helping them. "It is somewhat wet though." The case was
opened, and found to contain a large supply of tea; and though the outer
part was spoilt, the interior was perfectly dry. A tin of coffee
berries was discovered.

"We have no mill to grind them in, I fear," said Willy.

"Ah! but I have my pestle and mortar," observed the doctor, laughing.
"We must make that serve the purpose."

"Here is a jar of brown sugar, and in this basket what were once two
loaves of white sugar," said Willy; "but, alas, they have sadly
diminished in size, and will have a very salt taste."

"We must not be over-particular," answered the doctor. "We will try and
save what remains."

It was evident that, notwithstanding the forethought of the purser, many
of the articles which he had intended to put into the boat had been left
on board the ship.

"Perhaps the cutter, though, has got a part of our share," observed
Willy. "When she comes up with us we shall get what we require."

"Water is what we most want, Dicey, and from what I know of human
beings, I am afraid those on board her will not be willing to share that
with us," observed the doctor gravely. "Thirst is the most trying of
all the pains the human frame is compelled to endure; but we must not
talk about it--we will do our best to keep these poor women and children
from suffering. I have been accustomed to see men go through trials of
all sorts, but I cannot stand having the others crying out for help, and
not be able to afford it them. When a man has got a bullet in him, or
requires his leg off, or anything of that sort, it is what I am used to.
I know that I must exert my skill to the best of my power, leaving the
rest to God; so I think no more about the matter. However, Dicey, go
aft and make your report to Shafto. I, in the meantime, will calculate
what quantity of provisions we may venture to serve out each day, so as
to make our supply last till we can hope to reach land.