386 A FAMISHED WOMAN,

another nature, and far beyond the rest; for as first the ship's
company had so little for themselves, it was but too true that they
had at first kept them very low, and at last totally neglected them,
so that for six or seven days, it might be said, they had really had
no food at all, and for several days before very little. ‘Phe poor
mother, who, as the men reported, was a woman of good sense
and good breeding, had spared all she could get so affectionately

for her son, that at Tast she entirely sank under it, And when

 

“PAE MATE ENDEAVOURED TO GET SOME OF THE BROTH INTO HER MOUTIL”

the mate of our ship went in, she sat upon the floor or deck, with
her back up against the sides, between two chairs, which were
lashed fast, and her head sunk in between her shoulders like a
corpse, though not quite dead. My mate said all he could to
revive and encourage her, and with a spoon put some broth into
her mouth. She opened her lips and lifted up one hand, but could
not speak; yet she understood what he said, and made signs to
him, intimating that it was too late for her, but pointed to