my clothes disintegrated, victims of the sun and the salt.

first they became gauze-thin. then they tore until only theseams were left. lastly, the seams broke. for months i livedstark naked except for the whistle that dangled from my neckby a string.

salt-water boils – red, angry, disfiguring – were a leprosyof the high seas, transmitted by the water that soaked me.

where they burst, my skin was exceptionally sensitive;accidentally rubbing an open sore was so painful i would gaspand cry out. naturally,these boils developed on the parts of my body that got themost wet and the most wear on the raft; that is, my backside.

there were days when i could hardly find a position in whichi could rest. time and sunshine healed a sore, but the processwas slow, and new boils appeared if i didn't stay dry.