noon
The wreckage , like a great lump , lay supinely on the surface of the water ; he could not hope to move it . The day slowly passed ; the sun dried his clothes ; once or twice the bird made a sound -- a plaintive little tone -- and involuntarily the man moved with care , thinking not to frighten it . But caution in that regard seemed unnecessary , for the bird appeared very tame and not at all averse to company . Toward noon the man began to suffer more acutely from thirst , and drawing out a sailors ' oilskin pouch , one of the few possessions he had been allowed by the police to retain , he took from it a piece of tobacco which he began to chew . At the same time he eyed the rest of the contents -- half a ship 's biscuit , some matches and a mariner 's thimble . The biscuit he broke , and threw a few crumbs , where the timbers were dry , near the bird . For a long time it looked at the tiny white morsels ; but finally , conquering shyness , hopped from its perch and tentatively approached the banquet .