Part 10 (2/2)
It was opened, and within were found a dozen pots of jam.
”Ah, this is more to the purpose,” cried the doctor.
”We must keep them, though, for the poor women and children,” observed w.i.l.l.y.
”You are right, Dicey,” was the answer. ”But we have not yet finished our search.”
There was another case. It only contained pickles. ”I am afraid they will help us but little to keep body and soul together,” observed w.i.l.l.y.
”We might have found better food, though they have their value,”
remarked the doctor. ”If we can kill some birds, or a seal, or catch a few fish, they will be very useful.”
A large black sack was found, it was full of charcoal.
”This is poor food,” said w.i.l.l.y with a sigh.
”Yes, but what is that iron thing in the bows there?” asked the doctor.
It was hauled out, and found to be a small cooking stove. ”Ah, this is indeed a valuable prize,” he added. ”We may now cook our provisions and boil our kettle.”
”The poor women will be better for some tea, at all events,” observed w.i.l.l.y. ”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 w.i.l.l.y.
”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 w.i.l.l.y; ”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 s.h.i.+p.
”Perhaps the cutter, though, has got a part of our share,” observed w.i.l.l.y. ”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 G.o.d; 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 quant.i.ty of provisions we may venture to serve out each day, so as to make our supply last till we can hope to reach land.”
w.i.l.l.y went aft, and made his report in a low voice. Harry opened his eyes, and tried to listen, but he was already so overcome with fatigue that he could scarcely understand what was said, and directly w.i.l.l.y had ceased speaking, he was fast asleep again.
CHAPTER NINE.
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