CHAPTER XXVI
OUR DESPERATE SITUATION
"And now," quoth Sir Richard, "since you are bent on dragging this worn-out carcase along to be your careful burden (for the which may God bless you everlastingly, dear lad!) let us see what equipment Fortune hath left us beside your sword and the water." Herewith, upon investigation we found our worldly possessions amount to the following:
In Sir Richard's Pockets:
1 ship's biscuit (somewhat spoiled by water). A small clasp knife. A gunflint.
In Mine:
A length of small cord. Adam's chart (and very limp). 9 pistol balls.
These various objects we set together before us and I for one mighty disconsolate, for, excepting only the knife, a collection of more useless odds and ends could not be imagined. Sir Richard, on the contrary, having viewed each and every with his shrewd, kindly eyes, seemed in no wise cast down, for, said he.
"We might be richer, but then we might be poorer—for here we have in this biscuit one meal, though scant 'tis true and not over tasty. A sword and knife for weapons and tools, a flint to make us fires, three yards of small cord wherewith to contrive snares for small game, and though we ha' lost our compass, we have the coast to follow by day and the stars to guide us by night and furthermore—"
"Nine pistol balls!" quoth I gloomily.