II.They soon found that their boat leaked very much, and that it needed constant labour to bale it.Before they had been three days afloat, their stock of bread was spoiled by the salt water;and the fresh water had become stale, and hardly fit for drinking.There was scarcely any wind to help them; and the labour of rowing with rude oars, under a broiling sun,soon began to tell upon the strongest arms and the stoutest hearts amongst them.The island of Minorca was the place to which they had tried to steer their course,by the help of a pocket-compass during the day, and of the stars by night.Five days had gone, nor were there any signs of land.On every side the glittering waters stretched away as far as they could see. Famine stared them in the face.It is no wonder that hope died out in their hearts. They threw down their oars in despair.They crouched down in the bottom of the boat, their ghastly faces showing that the end was not far off.Will Adams, their leader, was the last to give in.His hand still nervously grasped the tiller, and his eye was bent eagerly towards the horizon.Suddenly he called out, "Cheer up, lads! we have one chance more.Do you see that dark speck in the shining waters ahead? I am much mistaken if it is not a turtle."
