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their expressions； with idiotic smiles； and uttering the most absurd
platitudes。 At intervals； however； they would appear to revive
suddenly； as if inspired all at once with a consciousness of their
condition； when they would spring upon their feet in a momentary
flash of vigour； and speak； for a short period； of their prospects；
in a manner altogether rational； although full of the most intense
despair。 It is possible； however； that my companions may have
entertained the same opinion of their own condition as I did of mine；
and that I may have unwittingly been guilty of the same extravagances
and imbecilities as themselves this is a matter which cannot be
determined。
About noon Parker declared that he saw land off the larboard
quarter； and it was with the utmost difficulty I could restrain him
from plunging into the sea with the view of swimming toward it。
Peters and Augustus took little notice of what he said； being
apparently wrapped up in moody contemplation。 Upon looking in the
direction pointed out； I could not perceive the faintest appearance
of the shore indeed； I was too well aware that we were far from
any land to indulge in a hope of that nature。 It was a long time；
nevertheless； before I could convince Parker of his mistake。 He then
burst into a flood of tears； weeping like a child； with loud cries
and sobs； for two or three hours； when becoming exhausted； he fell
asleep。
Peters and Augustus now made several ineffectual efforts to
swallow portions of the leather。 I advised them to chew it and spit
it out； but they were too excessively debilitated to be able to
follow my advice。 I continued to chew pieces of it at intervals； and
found some relief from so doing； my chief distress was for water； and
I was only prevented from taking a draught from the sea by
remembering the horrible consequences which thus have resulted to
others who were similarly situated with ourselves。
The day wore on in this manner； when I suddenly discovered a sail
to the eastward； and on our larboard bow。 She appeared to be a large
ship； and was coming nearly athwart us； being probably twelve or
fifteen miles distant。 None of my companions had as yet discovered
her； and I forbore to tell them of her for the present； lest we might
again be disappointed of relief。 At length upon her getting nearer； I
saw distinctly that she was heading immediately for us； with her
light sails filled。 I could now contain myself no longer； and pointed
her out to my fellow…sufferers。 They immediately sprang to their
feet； again indulging in the most extravagant demonstrations of joy；
weeping； laughing in an idiotic manner； jumping； stamping upon the
deck； tearing their hair； and praying and cursing by turns。 I was so
affected by their conduct； as well as by what I considered a sure
prospect of deliverance； that I could not refrain from joining in
with their madness； and gave way to the impulses of my gratitude and
ecstasy by lying and rolling on the deck； clapping my hands；
shouting； and other similar acts； until I was suddenly called to my
recollection； and once more to the extreme human misery and despair；
by perceiving the ship all at once with her stern fully presented
toward us； and steering in a direction nearly opposite to that in
which I had at first perceived her。
It was some time before I could induce my poor companions to
believe that this sad reverse in our prospects had actually taken
place。 They replied to all my assertions with a stare and a gesture
implying that they were not to be deceived by such
misrepresentations。 The conduct of Augustus most sensibly affected
me。 In spite of all I could say or do to the contrary； he persisted
in saying that the ship was rapidly nearing us； and in making
preparations to go on board of her。 Some seaweed floating by the
brig； he maintained that it was the ship's boat； and endeavoured to
throw himself upon it； howling and shrieking in the most heartrending
manner； when I forcibly restrained him from thus casting himself into
the sea。
Having become in some degree pacified； we continued to watch the
ship until we finally lost sight of her； the weather becoming hazy；
with a light breeze springing up。 As soon as she was entirely gone；
Parker turned suddenly toward me with an expression of countenance
which made me shudder。 There was about him an air of self…possession
which I had not noticed in him until now； and before he opened his
lips my heart told me what he would say。 He proposed； in a few words；
that one of us should die to preserve the existence of the others。
~~~ End of Text of Chapter 11 ~~~
CHAPTER 12
I had for some time past； dwelt upon the prospect of our being
reduced to this last horrible extremity； and had secretly made up my
mind to suffer death in any shape or under any circumstances rather
than resort to such a course。 Nor was this resolution in any degree
weakened by the present intensity of hunger under which I laboured。
The proposition had not been heard by either Peters or Augustus。 I
therefore took Parker aside； and mentally praying to God for power to
dissuade him from the horrible purpose he entertained； I expostulated
with him for a long time； and in the most supplicating manner；
begging him in the name of every thing which he held sacred； and
urging him by every species of argument which the extremity of the
case suggested； to abandon the idea； and not to mention it to either
of the other two。
He heard all I said without attempting to controvert any of my
arguments； and I had begun to hope that he would be prevailed upon to
do as I desired。 But when I had ceased speaking； he said that he knew
very well all I had said was true； and that to resort to such a
course was the most horrible alternative which could enter into the
mind of man； but that he had now held out as long as human nature
could be sustained； that it was unnecessary for all to perish； when；
by the death of one； it was possible； and even probable； that the
rest might be finally preserved； adding that I might save myself the
trouble of trying to turn him from his purpose； his mind having been
thoroughly made up on the subject even before the appearance of the
ship； and that only her heaving in sight had prevented him from
mentioning his intention at an earlier period。
I now begged him； if he would not be prevailed upon to abandon
his design； at least to defer it for another day； when some vessel
might come to our relief； again reiterating every argument I could
devise； and which I thought likely to have influence with one of his
rough nature。 He said； in reply； that he had not spoken until the
very last possible moment； that he could exist no longer without
sustenance of some kind； and that therefore in another day his
suggestion would be too late； as regarded himself at least。
Finding that he was not to be moved by anything I could say in a
mild tone； I now assumed a different demeanor； and told him that he
must be aware I had suffered less than any of us from our calamities；
that my health and strength； consequently； were at that moment far
better than his own； or than that either of Peters or Augustus； in
short； that I was in a condition to have my own way by force if I
found it necessary； and that if he attempted in any manner to
acquaint the others with his bloody and cannibal designs； I would not
hesitate to throw him into the sea。 Upon this he immediately seized
me by the throat； and drawing a knife； made several ineffectual
efforts to stab me in the stomach； an atrocity which his excessive
debility alone prevented him from accomplishing。 In the meantime；
being roused to a high pitch of anger； I forced him to the vessel's
side； with the full intention of throwing him overboard。 He was saved
from his fate； however； by the interference of Peters； who now
approached and separated us； asking the cause of the disturbance。
This Parker told before I could find means in any manner to prevent
him。
The effect of his words was even more terrible than what I had
anticipated。 Both Augustus and Peters； who； it seems； had long
secretly entertained the same fearful idea which Parker had been
merely the first to broach； joined with him in his design and
insisted upon its immediately being carried into effect。 I had
calculated that one at least of the two former would be found still
possessed of sufficient strength of mind to side with myself in
resisting any attempt to execute so dreadful a purpose； and； with the
aid of either one of them； I had no fear of being able to prevent its
accomplishment。 Being disappointed in this expectation； it became
absolutely necessary that I should attend to my own safety； as a
further resistance on my part might possibly be considered by men in
their frightful condition a sufficient excuse for refusing me fair
play in the tragedy that I knew would speedily be enacted。
I now told them I was willing to submit to the proposal； merely
requesting a delay of about one hour； in order that the fog which had
gathered around us might have an opportunity of lifting； when it was
possible that the ship we had seen mig