Lives of Alcyone

fish seemed numerous the sailor lay in wait in the bows of the boat,
and after several attempts succeeded in spearing one with the
weapon which Alcyone had taken from the sentinel. He offered his
prize respectfully to Alcyone, who however refused to touch it, as he
had never in his life eaten any living creature. When convinced that
he would on no account partake of it, the sailor himself devoured it
raw.
Shortly afterwards he began to complain of acute shooting
pains in his limbs, and of strange lassitude, and presently he laid
down his paddle, and collapsed in the bottom of the boat. Alcyone
was much concerned, but there was nothing that he could do, and in
an hour or so the sailor was dead. Evidently the arrow which had
wounded him was poisoned. Alcyone sorrowed greatly for the loss
of one who, though so different in rank, had become really a friend
in these few days of crowded adventure and excitement. The
swollen and puffy body soon showed unmistakable signs that the
soul had finally left it, so Alcyone had to throw it overboard, and it
drifted in sight of him until it was torn to pieces by sharks.
Night fell, and the wind freshened, and he had great trouble in
preventing the swamping of his canoe as the sea rose. Dawn came
at last, and he was still afloat, and the sea had gone down
somewhat, but his sufferings from thirst were horrible. The day wore
slowly on, the wind remaining steady. The heat of the sun was
intense, and though he relieved himself a little by constantly
throwing water over his head and body he had a day of great
misery. Night came again, and there was at last a coolness, and as
the sea was quiet he had occasional snatches of sleep; but he was
nevertheless weak and faint when the second morning dawned.