I feel as if I am barely surviving. The only that keeps me alive is the dream of reaching America. Many of the old and young have not been able to survive due to hunger and fever. Since the food rations are very small, I try to eat it slowly in order to make it last. Today, my stomach was growling more than usual because I gave my rations to my wife because she looked faint and just about on the verge of death. I am really lucky to be young and strong, I know and hope that I will be able to avoid the fever that has made so many of the people on this ship very ill and dying.
-Thomas