Thus they held the water as it were at bay: but having endured excessive fatigue of body, and agitation of mind, for more than twenty-four hours, and all this being attended with little hope of final success, they began, at length, to flag.

None of them could work at the pump above five or six minutes together, after which, being totally exhausted they threw themselves down upon the deck, though a stream of water, between three or four inches deep, was running over it from the pumps.

When those who succeeded them had worked their time, and in their turn were exhausted, they threw themselves down in the same manner and the others started up again, to renew their labour.

While thus they were employed in relieving each other, an accident was very nearly putting an immediate end to all their efforts.

The planking which lines the ship's bottom is called the ceiling, between which and the outside planking there is a space of about eighteen inches.