The sea was running higher than ever, and there was no sign of land.

One of the men, much worse wounded than they had thought, lay down in the bottom of the boat and died.

They tossed his body unceremoniously overboard.

Robert knew that it was necessary, but it horrified him just the same.

Another man, made light of head by dangers and excessive hardships, insisted that there was no island, that either they would be drowned or would drift on in the boat until they died of thirst and starvation.