96 FOR THE FLAG

oxygen from outside, without which I should have heen
asphyxiated, has come in through the door. Then suffi-
cient nourishment was placed at my disposal to appease
my hunger and thirst until the time of my release.

How much longer is this imprisonment to last? Hours
—days?

It is impossible for me to calculate what time has
passed during my sleep or to know what o’clock it is now.
I had been careful to wind my watch, but it was not a
repeater. Perhaps by feeling the hands—? Yes; it seems
to me that the small hand points to eight—in the morning,
of course!

I am certain the vessel is no longer in motion. There is
not the slightest quiver on board—this shows that the pro-
peller is at rest.

Still the hours are passing, interminable hours, and I
wonder whether these men are waiting for the night before
they come again to my den as they had already done
while I slept, and to bring me meat and drink. Yes, they
want to avail themselves of my sleep. .

This time I am determined—I will resist. I will pre-
tend to sleep—and I shall force any one who enters to
answer me!