noon
I caught and contrived to smoke a quantity of fish sufficient to last me for a fortnight , and filled a small cask with brackish but still drinkable water . In this vessel , thus stored , I embarked about a fortnight after the day of the mysterious shock . On the second evening of my voyage I was caught by a gale which compelled me to lower the sail , and before which I was driven for three days and nights , in what direction I can hardly guess . On the fourth morning the wind had fallen , and by noon it was a perfect calm . I need not describe what has been described by so many shipwrecked sailors , -- the sufferings of a solitary voyager in an open boat under a tropical sun . The storm had supplied me with water more than enough ; so that I was spared that arch-torture of thirst which seems , in the memory of such sufferers , to absorb all others . Towards evening a slight breeze sprang up , and by morning I came in sight of a vessel , which I contrived to board .