The Further Adventures of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe Chapter 8 Page 18

had we had any conversation with the ship’s company for twelve days, they having told us that they had not a mouthful of anything to eat in the ship; and this they told us afterwards — they thought we had been dead. It was this dreadful condition we were in when you were sent to save our lives; and how you found us, sir, you know as well as I, and better too.”

This was her own relation, and is such a distinct account of starving to death, as, I confess, I never met with, and was exceeding instructive to me.

I am the rather apt to believe it to be a true account, because the youth gave me an account of a good part of it; though I must own, not so distinct and so feeling as the maid; and the rather, because it seems his mother fed him at the price of her own life: but