His words were truer than he thought. Unable to endure his suffering, the sailor named Jack suddenly staggered to his feet.
"I can't stand it any longer," he said, wildly; "good-by, boys," and before his companions well knew what he intended to do, he had leaped over the side of the boat, and sunk in the ocean waves.
There was a thrilling silence, as the waters closed over his body.
Then the second sailor also rose to his feet.
"I'm going after Jack," he said, and he, too, plunged into the waves.
The captain rose as if to hinder him, but Bunsby placed his hand upon his arm.
"It's just as well, captain. We must all come to that, and the sooner, the more suffering is saved."
"That's so," said the other sailor, tormented like the other two by thirst, aggravated by his draughts of seawater. "Good-by, Bunsby! Good-by, captain! I'm going!"
He, too, plunged into the sea, and Bunsby and the captain were left alone.
"You won't desert me, Bunsby?" said the captain.