noon
My Newfoundland dog , Sneezer , had snatched at me , and dragged me out of the eddy of the sinking vessel . For life , for dear life , nearly suffocated amidst -- the hissing spray , we reached the cutter , the dog and his helpless master . For three miserable days , I had been exposed , half naked and bareheaded , in an open boat , without water , or food , or shade . The third fierce cloudless West Indian noon was long passed , and once more the dry burning sun sank in the west , like a red-hot shield of iron . In my horrible extremity , I imprecated the wrath of Heaven on my defenceless head , and shaking my clenched hands against the brazen sky , I called aloud on the Almighty , `` Oh , let me never see him rise again ! '' I glared on the noble dog , as he lay dying at the bottom of the boat ; madness seized me , I tore his throat with my teeth , not for food , but that I might drink his hot blood it flowed , and vampire-like , I would have gorged myself ; but as he turned his dull , grey , glazing eye on me , the pulses of my heart stopped , and I fell senseless . When my recollection returned , I was stretched on some fresh plantain leaves , in a low smoky hut , with my faithful dog lying beside me , whining and licking my hands and face .