he rain never
ceased for a moment, but kept on in a regular tropic deluge; while, in
spite of food and stimulants, exhaustion and suffering from their wounds
told more and more, till one by one the men gave up, and the boat at
last drifted with the swift current into which they had been drawn.

A short consultation was held between the heads, and failing
observations, it was decided that it would be better to make for the
island off which the ship had been becalmed; but even that desperate
resolve had now to be given up, for the strength of all seemed gone, and
the current set in, as far as they could judge, the opposite direction.

"We can do nothing, major," said the captain at last; "nothing now but
trust in God and hope for the best."

"Amen!" said the major quietly, and he calmly took his turn at the
baling, which had now become the one task undertaken, so as to keep the
boat clear of water.

Night came slowly as they drifted on, but it came at last--a densely
dark night, with the rain still falling; and in spite of their being in
the tropics, the cold and suffering, as they all sat in their saturated
garments wishing for the cessation of the rain, was terrible; and how
those hours next passed none seemed to know, for they were utterly
stupefied with weariness and exhaustion.

Morning at last, and with the break of day the rain partially ceased,
for its violence was not so great, but it kept falling; and now to add
to their peril a gusty wind came from astern as the sun began to rise.

It was plain to all on board that if the surface became rough their boat
must sink. For she was so heavily-laden that the space of side above
the water was small indeed. Under the circumstances Captain Strong
decided to raise the little lug-sail neatly rolled round its mast, and
this latter being stepped, the sail was unfurled, and in a few minutes
they were gliding rapidly on, shipping a little water from time to time,
but no more than could be easily mastered and kept down.

Where to steer was not in their choice. All that could be done was to
keep the gig afloat, and to this the captain and mate directed all their
energies.

Food was distributed, and of water they felt no want, their saturated
garments having quenched all thirst; but matters seemed to grow worse.
Mr Morgan was delirious, and one of the men lay rambling on about some
place in London where he meant to have called.

Morning, noon, evening, and the gig ru