eturned. They were both by this time beginning to suffer greatly from
want of water. Mr Shobbrok kept his thoughts to himself, but he knew
too well what must be the result. Both wetted their clothes; their
thirst continued to increase; they felt, however, that it would have
been much worse had they not adopted that course. The day wore on, and
poor Walter gave signs of severe suffering though he did not complain
aloud. The wind had fallen to a dead calm, and the raft floated
motionless on the water; then, the sail being useless, the mate lowered
it. Ceasing to look out for any sail in sight, for he knew that none
could approach, he pounded up some biscuit and moistened it with wine;
but even then Walter could scarcely get it down his throat. The old man
gazed on the lad with pitying eye and sorrowing heart, as he saw that he
could not much longer endure his sufferings. He himself, strong as he
was and inured to hardships, began to feel the agony of thirst; his lips
were parched, his mouth dry. He wetted Walter's clothes and his own,
and he washed his mouth out frequently with salt water, bidding Walter
do the same; but they found their throats become almost immediately
afterwards as dry as before.

The sun again went down, and the comparative coolness of night somewhat
relieved them. The mate feared that Walter would not be able to endure
another day. The stars shining brightly from the sky were reflected on
the mirror-like surface of the deep. All around looked calm and
peaceful. Walter soon fell asleep. "He will forget his sorrows, poor
boy, and will be the better for it," thought the mate as he sat watching
by his side; yet he could not help dreading that it might be his young
friend's last sleep here below. "Well, well, he is a true Christian
lad, and will be saved much pain and sorrow, and many trials. God knows
what is best. He takes those he loves most; though, if the captain
survives, it will go well-nigh to break his heart." These thoughts
occupied the mind of the worthy mate, till, overcome by weariness and
exhaustion, he himself lay down, resting his head on a piece of timber
which served as Walter's pillow. He soon fell asleep, and seldom,
perhaps, had he slept so soundly. He was awakened at length by a bright
glare in his eyes; and starting up, he found that the sun had just risen
out of his ocean bed. The whole sky, however, was quickly obscured; for
dark clouds hanging low down were gl