five o’clock
In less than an hour afterwards I saw Huntly let himself down by the forestays and clamber along to the forecastle where he joined the group of sailors , and I lost sight of him . I attached little importance to the incident , and shortly afterwards joined the party in the main-top , where we continued talking for some hours . The heat was intense , and if it had not been for the shelter ' afforded by the sail-tent , would have been unbearable . At five o'clock we took as refreshment some dried meat and biscuit , each individual being also allowed half a glass of water . Mrs. Kear , prostrate with fever , could not touch a mouthful ; and nothing could be done by Miss Herbey to relieve her , beyond occasionally moistening her parched lips . The unfortunate lady suffers greatly , and sometimes I am inclined to think that she will succumb to the exposure and privation . Not once had her husband troubled himself about her ; but when shortly afterwards I heard him hail some of the sailors on the forecastle and ask them to help him down from the foretop , I began to think that the selfish fellow was coming to join his wife .