What interaction does the convict have with the first boat of survivors from the flood?

When the convict and the refugee woman are sailing down the flooded river, the first boat they come across is carrying a gruff man carrying a shotgun and his wife. The man states that the convict can come aboard, but he will not let him take his boat. The convict refuses. The woman aboard the boat passes a few food items to the refugee woman including a tin of milk which disgusts the convict.