The next morning was fair. On leaving the port it had been the
intention of the party to return the same evening, and the boat was
victualled for one day only. There was now nothing for breakfast but
a little tea and sugar and a piece of damper: no flesh, fish, or
fowl. Davy was anxious to entertain his passengers to the best of
his ability, especially Mr. Reeve, who, though not of delicate
health, was a gentleman of refined tastes, and liked to have his
meals prepared and served in the best style. Fresh water was of the
first necessity, and, after so much rain, should have been plentiful,
but not a spoonful could anywhere be found: the soil of the island
was sandy, and all the rain had soaked into it and disappeared. The
damper having been exposed to the weather was saturated with water.
There was in the boat a large three-legged iron pot, half filled with
fat, a hard and compact dainty not liable to be spilled or wasted,
and in it had been stewed many a savoury meal of sandpipers, parrots,
rats, and quail. This pot had been fortunately left upright and
uncoveredduring the night, and the abundant rain had filled it with
fresh water. Davy, with the intuition of artistic genius, at once
saw the means of producing a repast fit for the gods. He poured the
water which covered the fat from the iron pot into the kettle, which
he placed on the fire for the purpose of making tea.
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