As soon as possible he called to his wife, but no answer came back.

He called to Paul, and he too was silent.

Was she lost?
Had she, in whom all his hopes were placed, been carried into the sea and for ever lost to him on earth?
These thoughts bewildered him while he was trying to steer his vessel.

He dare not leave the helm to look after his wife and children.

He hoped the sea had not broken into the cabin and drowned all that were left to him on earth.