He told me, as I had guessed, that we were becalmed and that a great sickness had taken hold of the ship, already laying low a third of the crew, adding that it was a judgment from heaven because of their cruelty and wickedness.
To this I answered that the judgment was working on the captives as well as on the captors, and asked him where was Sarceda, as they named de Garcia.

Then I learned that he had been taken sick that morning, and I rejoiced at the news, for if I had hated him before, it may be judged how deeply I hated him now.

Presently the priest left me and returned with water mixed with the juice of limes, that tasted to me like nectar from the gods, and some good meat and fruit.

These he gave me through the hole in the planks, and I made shift to seize them in my manacled hands and devoured them.

After this he went away, to my great chagrin; why, I did not discover till the following morning.
That day passed and the long night passed, and when at length the Spaniards visited the hold once more, there were forty bodies to be dragged out of it, and many others were sick.