Chapter 14 - Page 2

same, thou and thy breaker were a
study.

Besides the breaker, we had, full of water, the two boat-kegs,
previously alluded to. These were first used. We drank from them by
their leaden spouts; so many swallows three times in the day; having
no other means of measuring an allowance. But when we came to the
breaker, which had only a bung-hole, though a very large one, dog-
like, it was so many laps apiece; jealously counted by the observer.
This plan, however, was only good for a single day; the water then
getting beyond the reach of the tongue. We therefore daily poured
from the breaker into one of the kegs; and drank from its spout. But
to obviate the absorption inseparable from decanting, we at last hit
upon something better,--my comrade's shoe, which, deprived of
its quarters, narrowed at the heel, and diligently rinsed out in the
sea, was converted into a handy but rather limber ladle. This we kept
suspended in the bung-hole of the breaker, that it might never twice
absorb the water.

Now pewter imparts flavor to ale; a Meerschaum bowl, the same to the
tobacco of Smyrna; and goggle green glasses are deemed indispensable
to the bibbing of Hock. What then shall be said of a leathern goblet
for water? Try it, ye mariners who list.

One morning, taking his wonted draught, Jarl fished up in his ladle a
deceased insect; something like a Daddy-long-legs, only more
corpulent. Its fate? A sea-toss? Believe it not; with all those
precious drops clinging to its lengthy legs. It was held over the
ladle till the last globule dribbled; and even then, being moist,
honest Jarl was but loth to drop it overboard.

For our larder, we could not endure the salt beef; it was raw as a
live Abyssinian steak, and salt as Cracow. Besides, the Feegee simile
would not have held good with respect to it. It was far from being
"tender as a dead man." The biscuit only could we eat; not to be
wondered at; for even on shipboard, seamen in the tropics are but
sparing feeders.

And here let not, a suggestion be omitted, most valuable to any
future castaway or sailaway as the case may be. Eat not your biscuit
dry; but dip it in the sea: which makes it more bulky and palatable.
During meal times it was soak and sip with Jarl and me: one on each
side of the Chamois dipping our biscuit in the brine. This plan
obviated finger-glasses at the conclusion of our repast. Upon the
whole, dwelling upon the water is not so bad after all. The Chinese
are no fools. In the operation of making your toilet, how handy to
float in your