I saw to it that she was thoroughly well provisioned with tinned stuffs--long put on one side for the purpose; and I may say here that at the last moment before starting I placed on board three large live turtles, which supplied us with meat until we reached the Australian main.

I also took a plentiful supply of water, in bags made from the intestines of birds and fishes; also a small cask containing about ten gallons of the precious fluid, which was placed near the mast.

In short, as far I was able, I provided everything that was necessary for this most important journey.

But consider for a moment the horrible doubts and fears that racked me.

I _fancied_ the mainland was not very far away, but you must remember I was not at all certain how long it would take us to reach it; nor could I be sure, therefore, whether I had taken a sufficient supply of food and water.