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His principal concern was for the wind. It was just the time of

year for those "three-day" nor'-easters that harry the entire

coast of North America. When the first excitement of his danger

passed he was assailed by the fierce hunger of nervous and

physical exhaustion, but there was no food aboard the dory. He

had, of course, the breaker of water that was part of his regular

equipment; but this was more for use during a long day of fishing

than for the emergency of being lost at sea.

He took a hearty drink and prepared for the long watch of the

night.

By a wax match several hours later he found that it was midnight.

His struggle with wind and sea had now become unequal. He found

it impractical to remain longer in the stern attempting to scull.

So very cautiously he set about his last defensive measure.