Float, Flounder, Forge

“Look, afar off,” said the first with one eye to the scope.

“What is it?” Asked the second, without a trace of hope.

“It’s probably nothing.” Groaned the third, his head sunk and heart despondent.

“Agreed.” The 4th so miserably and mutedly responded.

“It is land, I am sure of it now!” The first cheerfully implied.

“Weren’t you so sure the last time?” The third grumbled and sighed.

“He’s right,” added the 4th. His throat nearly giving way under thirst.

“Let’s just see,” said the 2nd, snatching the telescope from the first.

“It's too far, too unclear to tell.” Remarked the second, passing the scope to the third.

“He’s right,” agreed the third, looking on quite perturbed.

“What's the point?” The 4th lamented, collapsing upon his face.

“Surely we should sail closer?” Remarked the first. “Let’s check just in case!”

Folding his arms, the second spoke, “We need more than just a feeling, we cannot go on just a hunch.”

“Yes, we must be absolutely certain,” Said the third, his answer just as staunch.

“I suppose,” replied the first, “but I believe our deliverance is close at hand.”

The 4th was silent, lying wordless on the deck, given up on dreams of land.

“I’ve already steered us in for a closer look!” Shouted another from further up the ship.

Each man then turned toward the helm to see who’d made their hearts skip.

A crew mate stood above them finishing the last canteen of water, with one hand on the mast.

“You fool,” the second shouted. “you’ve damned us all, how could you do something so brash?” 

“You all seemed busy wondering, so I did not wish to disturb you.

I suppose it just felt right, just felt like the thing we should do.”

The second wailed in sorrow while the fourth groaned like his spirit was melt.

“We are surely dead” cried the third, while the first just smiled to himself