Obviously I want to stay alive. Doesn't mean I'm going to ignore all possibilities.

[It's just stupid not to. Mat can't take any comfort in false optimism. It doesn't mean he's given up, but he's not about to be a fool and put all his thoughts into hope. Hope is all well and good, but it doesn't get a damned thing done.]

Anyhow, you can get water out of the plants. And any water can be drunk, long as it's boiled first. If there's sticks about, I can make fire. Takes a bit, but it works.