They had been a long time floating about in an aimless way, hoping to see some Spanish merchant-vessel which they might attack and possibly capture, but no such vessel appeared.

Their provisions began to give out, the men were hungry, discontented, and grumbling.

In fact, they were in almost as bad a condition as were the sailors of Columbus just before they discovered signs of land, after their long and weary voyage across the Atlantic.
When Peter and his men were almost on the point of despair, they perceived, far away upon the still waters, a large ship.

With a great jump, hope sprang up in the breast of every man.

They seized the oars and pulled in the direction of the distant craft.