The water, too, was getting lower and lower in the one cask that remained, and it had a warm, brackish taste.

Still it was the most precious thing they possessed.
More and more worried became the look on Captain Spark's face.

How anxiously each morning and a dozen times a day did he scan the horizon with his glasses for a sight of the island or a ship! But nothing was to be seen save the heaving billows.
Mr.Tarbill became weak-minded, and babbled of cooling streams of water and delicious food until Ned Scudd, losing all patience, threatened to throw the nervous man overboard if he did not cease.
This had the effect of quieting him for a while.
The faces of all were haggard and thin.

Their eyes were unnaturally bright.

Poor Bob bore up bravely, though tears came into his eyes as he thought of his father and mother, and the pleasant and happy home now so far away.
"Bob's as good as a man," whispered the captain to Mr.Carr, and the first mate nodded an assent.
It was the third day of absolute hopelessness.