noon
All that day the sailors behaved pretty well ; a bag of biscuits had been placed on board , and a jar of water , of which each partook , and all felt a little comforted and strengthened ; but , as night came on , the men commenced afresh to drink . Most fortunately , the sea had become calm , so the boat drifted on , pretty much left to its own will . The next morning found the sailors in a state of almost helpless intoxication ; but now land was in sight , though at a great distance , and the women , seizing the oars , strove to impel the boat in that direction ; but soon , worn out with the struggle , and finding they made but little headway , most of them gave up to despair , and resigned themselves , as they said , to their fate . It was now high noon , at least so they judged from the look of the sun , and Agnes strove by every means to re-assure her fainting companions . She spoke of the power and goodness of their heavenly Father , and besought them to unite with her in earnest petitions to the throne of grace for timely succor , or for a preparation for a speedy exit from life . Some heard with attention , and united with agonizing earnestness in the petition , which , as it ascended from her lips , sounded like a seraph 's pleading , and surely reached the ear of the Lord God of Sabaoth . Others listened with stolid indifference , or sullen despair .