How long I remained in that state of stupor I could hardly say, but at length a strange sensation half brought me to myself.

Was I dreaming, or was there not really some unaccustomed odour floating in the air?
My nostrils became distended, and I could scarcely suppress a cry of astonishment; but some instinct kept me quiet, and I laid myself down again with the puzzled sensation sometimes experienced when we have forgotten a word or name.

Only a few minutes, however, had elapsed before another still more savoury puff induced me to take several long inhalations.

Suddenly, the truth seemed to dash across my mind.
"Surely," I muttered to myself "this must be cooked meat that I can smell." Again and again I sniffed and became more convinced than ever that my senses were not deceiving me.

But from what part of the raft could the smell proceed?
I rose to my knees, and having satisfied myself that the odour came from the front, I crept stealthily as a cat under the sails and between the spars in that direction.