Page:Colnett - Voyage to the South Pacific (IA cihm 33242).djvu/184

 bad weather, I deferred taking a urvey of the ile till they were repaired.

Though we ent the Butterworth daily upplies of water, I did not foreee the conequence of our generoity; for from that moment, the commander never gave himelf the leat concern to look for any; but employed his crew in cutting a very large quantity of wood, and tocking himelf with land tortoie privately, from a pot which we agreed hould remain acred, till we were ready for ailing, and then hare our tock together. Indeed I not only upplied Mr. Sharp with water, but may be aid alo to have added to his food; for he did not know that the tortoie was an wholeome eatable till I informed him of it.

As I had at this time many reaons to doubt his continuing long in company with me, and in cae of eparation the Rattler had no boat belonging to her calculated to bring water any ditance, it awakened my precaution to provide for any unforeeen accident hould it befall us repecting that neceary article. I determined therefore, to upply him monthly throughout our voyage, and this information of this arrangement produced a better effect than I expected, as it timulated him to earch for water, which he found within two miles of his hip.