"No, captain. I haven't swallowed seawater like those poor fellows. I can stand it better."
"There is no hope of life," said the captain, quietly; "but I don't like to go unbidden into my Maker's presence."
"Nor I. I'll stand by you, captain."
"This is a fearful thing, Bunsby. If it would only rain."
"That would be some relief."
As if in answer to his wish, the drops began to fall—slowly at first, then more copiously, till at last their clothing was saturated, and the boat partly filled with water. Eagerly they squeezed out the welcome dregs from their clothing, and felt a blessed relief. They filled two bottles they had remaining with the precious fluid.
"If those poor fellows had only waited," said the captain.
"They are out of suffering now," said Bunsby.
The relief was only temporary, and they felt it to be so. They were without food, and the two bottles of water would not last them long. Still, there was a slight return of hope, which survives under the most discouraging circumstances.