The
other men lost--one A.B., one greaser, and two firemen--were quiet,
conscientious, good fellows."
With no restoratives in the boat, they endeavoured to bring the captain
round by means of massage. Meantime the oars were got out in order to
reach the Faroes, which were about thirty miles dead to windward, but
after about nine hours' hard work they had to desist, and, putting out a
sea-anchor, they took shelter under the canvas boat-cover from the cold
wind and torrential rain. Says the narrator: "We were all very wet and
miserable, and decided to have two biscuits all round. The effects of
this and being under the shelter of the canvas warmed us up and made us
feel pretty well contented. At about sunrise the captain showed signs of
recovery, and by the time the sun was up he was looking a lot better,
much to our relief."
After being informed of what had been done the revived captain "dropped a
bombshell in our midst," by proposing to make for the Shetlands, which
were _only_ one hundred and fifty miles off. "The wind is in our
favour," he said. "I promise to take you there. Are you all willing?"
This--comments the chief engineer--"from a man who but a few hours
previously had been hauled back from the grave!" The captain's confident
manner inspired the men, and they all agreed.
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