Second mate Hoffmann was very brave and helpful , though his unexpected responsibility weighed heavily on his shoulders ; for the captain 's state seemed desperate , the poor wife 's grief wrung his heart , and the blind confidence of the young girl in his power to save them made him feel that no sign of doubt or fear must lessen it . The men did their part readily now , but Emil knew that if starvation and despair made brutes of them , his task might be a terrible one . So he clutched his courage with both hands , kept up a manly front , and spoke so cheerily of their good chances , that all instinctively turned to him for guidance and support . The first day and night passed in comparative comfort , but when the third came , things looked dark and hope began to fail . The wounded man was delirious , the wife worn out with anxiety and suspense , the girl weak for want of food , having put away half her biscuit for her mother , and given her share of water to wet her father 's feverish lips . The sailors ceased rowing and sat grimly waiting , openly reproaching their leader for not following their advice , others demanding more food , all waxing dangerous as privation and pain brought out the animal instincts lurking in them . Emil did his best , but mortal man was helpless there , and he could only turn his haggard face from the pitiless sky , that dropped no rain for their thirst , to the boundless sea where no sail appeared to gladden their longing eyes . All day he tried to cheer and comfort them , while hunger gnawed , thirst parched , and growing fear lay heavy at his heart . He told stories to the men , implored them to bear up for the helpless women 's sake , and promised rewards if they would pull while they had strength to regain the lost route , as nearly as he could make it out , and increase their chance of rescue . He rigged an awning of sailcloth over the suffering man and tended him like a son , comforted the wife , and tried to make the pale girl forget herself , by singing every song he knew or recounting his adventures by land and sea , till she smiled and took heart ; for all ended well . The fourth day came and the supply of food and water was nearly gone . Emil proposed to keep it for the sick man and the women , but two of the men rebelled , demanding their share . Emil gave up his as an example , and several of the good fellows followed it , with the quiet heroism which so often crops up in rough but manly natures . This shamed the others , and for another day an ominous peace reigned in that little world of suffering and suspense . But during the night , while Emil , worn out with fatigue , left the watch to the most trustworthy sailor , that he might snatch an hour 's rest , these two men got at the stores and stole the last of the bread and water , and the one bottle of brandy , which was carefully hoarded to keep up their strength and make the brackish water drinkable . Half mad with thirst , they drank greedily and by morning one was in a stupor , from which he never woke ; the other so crazed by the strong stimulant , that when Emil tried to control him , he leaped overboard and was lost . Horror-stricken by this terrible scene , the other men were submissive henceforth , and the boat floated on and on with its sad freight of suffering souls and bodies . Another trial came to them that left all more despairing than before . A sail appeared , and for a time a frenzy of joy prevailed , to be turned to bitterest disappointment when it passed by , too far away to see the signals waved to them or hear the frantic cries for help that rang across the sea . Emil 's heart sank then , for the captain seemed dying , and the women could not hold out much longer .
He kept up till XXXXX came ; then in the darkness , broken only by the feeble murmuring of the sick man , the whispered prayers of the poor wife , the ceaseless swash of waves , Emil hid his face , and had an hour of silent agony that aged him more than years of happy life could have done .
Emil Hoffmann brutes left night privation rowing sailcloth starvation third