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 night 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 . It was not the physical hardship that daunted him , though want and weakness tortured him ; it was his dreadful powerlessness to conquer the cruel fate that seemed hanging over them . The men he cared little for , since these perils were but a part of the life they chose ; but the master he loved , the good woman who had been so kind to him , the sweet girl whose winsome presence had made the long voyage so pleasant for them all -- if he could only save these dear and innocent creatures from a cruel death , he felt that he could willingly give his life for them . As he sat there with his head in his hands , bowed down by the first great trial of his young life , the starless sky overhead , the restless sea beneath , and all around him suffering , for which he had no help , a soft sound broke the silence , and he listened like one in a dream . It was Mary singing to her mother , who lay sobbing in her arms , spent with this long anguish . A very faint and broken voice it was , for the poor girl 's lips were parched with thirst ; but the loving heart turned instinctively to the great Helper in this hour of despair , and He heard her feeble cry . It was a sweet old hymn often sung at Plumfield ; and as he listened , all the happy past came back so clearly that Emil forgot the bitter present , and was at home again . His talk on the housetop with Aunt Jo seemed but yesterday , and , with a pang of self-reproach , he thought : ` The scarlet strand ! I must remember it , and do my duty to the end . Steer straight , old boy ; and if you ca n't come into port , go down with all sail set . '
Then , as the soft voice crooned on to lull the weary woman to a fitful sleep , XXXXX for a little while forgot his burden in a dream of Plumfield .
Emil Jo Mary Plumfield day hour morning powerlessness self-reproach years