Rarx screamed out, in spite of
his fears of me, "The world is drawing to an end, and the sun will never
rise any more!"
When the day broke, I found that we were all huddled together in a
miserable manner. We were deep in the water; being, as I found on
mustering, thirty-one in number, or at least six too many. In the Surf-
boat they were fourteen in number, being at least four too many. The
first thing I did, was to get myself passed to the rudder--which I took
from that time--and to get Mrs. Atherfield, her child, and Miss Coleshaw,
passed on to sit next me. As to old Mr. Rarx, I put him in the bow, as
far from us as I could. And I put some of the best men near us in order
that if I should drop there might be a skilful hand ready to take the
helm.
The sea moderating as the sun came up, though the sky was cloudy and
wild, we spoke the other boat, to know what stores they had, and to
overhaul what we had. I had a compass in my pocket, a small telescope, a
double-barrelled pistol, a knife, and a fire-box and matches.
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