Conseil argued on this supposition, and laid his plans accordingly.

This quiet boy was perfectly self-possessed.

We then decided that, as our only chance of safety was being picked up by the Abraham Lincoln's boats, we ought to manage so as to wait for them as long as possible.

I resolved then to husband our strength, so that both should not be exhausted at the same time; and this is how we managed: while one of us lay on our back, quite still, with arms crossed, and legs stretched out, the other would swim and push the other on in front.

This towing business did not last more than ten minutes each; and relieving each other thus, we could swim on for some hours, perhaps till day-break.