It was the water they dreaded most to lose. Without this they must soon sink and perish.
Just one fearful accident I must here record, though I have no intention to pile up horrors.
But in the expectation of rain one night a huge piece of waterproof canvas was spread, or rather hung, by the four corners between as many trees, hammock fashion.
The rain did come.
Water from the casks was at this time served out only in small quantities, so that the poor mariners were already suffering greatly from thirst. They were overjoyed, therefore, to find their great hammock almost full next morning.
They drank greedily of the apparently pure liquid, although some averred that it tasted bitter.
Alas! it was poisoned!
For in about half an hour afterwards the men were suffering the most excruciating agony.
Luckily, none of the officers had partaken of this water, which must have been poisoned by the copper or some other chemical, with which the canvas had been treated, to render it waterproof.
Before night, although Talbot gave everyone emetics of strong mustard and water, treating them afterwards with wine and spirits, no fewer than four poor fellows were dead. The others got better, but continued weak and ill for weeks.