Read "The Smoky God" by Willis George Emerson online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
I TRIED to forget my thirst by busying myself with bringing up some food and an empty vessel from the hold. Reaching over the side-rail, I filled the vessel with water for the purpose of laving my hands and face. To my astonishment, when the water came in contact with my lips, I could taste no salt. I was startled by the discovery. "Father! " I fairly gasped, "the water, the water; it is fresh! " "What, Olaf? " exclaimed my father, glancing hastily around. "Surely you are mistaken. There is no land. You are going mad. " "But taste it! " I cried.
And thus we made the discovery that the water was indeed fresh, absolutely so, without the least briny taste or even the suspicion of a salty flavor.