noon
Not a crust of bread ; not a drop of water . At 4 P. M. several flying-fish , driven into the air by the dolphins and catfish , fell into the sea again near the boat , and one struck the sail sharply , and fell into the boat . It was divided , and devoured raw , in a moment . The next morning the wind fell , and , by noon , the ocean became like glass . The horrors of a storm have been often painted ; but who has described , or can describe , the horrors of a calm , to a boatload of hungry , thirsty creatures , whose only chances of salvation or relief are wind and rain ? The beautiful , remorseless sky was one vault of purple , with a great flaming jewel in the center , whose vertical rays struck , and parched , and scorched the living sufferers ; and blistered and baked the boat itself , so that it hurt their hot hands to touch it . The beautiful , remorseless ocean was one sheet of glass , that glared in their bloodshot eyes , and reflected the intolerable heat of heaven upon these poor wretches , who were gnawed to death with hunger ; and their raging thirst was fiercer still .