The hopelessness of their situation was without resource—without mitigation; they had exhausted their last expedient.
"Is there anything else we can throw overboard?"
The doctor, whom every one had forgotten, rose from the companion, and said,
"Yes."
"What?" asked the chief.
The doctor answered, "Our Crime."
They shuddered, and all cried out,—
"Amen."
The doctor standing up, pale, raised his hand to heaven, saying,—
"Kneel down."