Chapter 28 - Page 2

all was over, and I doubt whether the sufferer was ever conscious
of the peril of, her situation.

The night passed on without further incident. Towards morning I
touched the dead woman's hand, and it was cold and stiff. The
corpse could not remain any longer on the main-top, and after
Miss Herbey and I had carefully wrapped the garments about it,
with a few short prayers the body of the first victim of our
miseries was committed to the deep.

As the sea closed over the body I heard one of the men in the
shrouds say,--

"There goes a carcase that we shall be sorry we have thrown
away!"

I looked round sharply. It was Owen who had spoken, But horrible
as were his words, the conviction was forced upon my mind that
the day could not be far distant when we must want for food.