I only ate a little gruel when others were there, but when the skipper was at dinner Jans would bring me strong soup and meat from the caboose.

The captain came several times and shook me and swore I was shamming, but I only answered in a whisper and seemed as faint as a girl.

All this time the Potomac was making good way, and was running fast down the coast of South America.
The air was getting cool and fresh.
"'I tink,' Jans said one evening to me, 'dat dis not go on much much longer.

De crew getting desperate.

Dey talk and mutter among demselves.
Me thinks we have trouble before long.' "The next day one of the mates came in with a bucket of water.