"I think not. The ship lies almost straight, and on smooth sand. If nothing new happens, it may lie so a long time."
"The Captain is right, then, in keeping us on board?"
"I think so; all the more that the wind, for the first time for days past, seems inclined to veer round to the east, and if that happens, we have good grounds for supposing that we shall be afloat again in a few hours. However----"
"However?"
"Man is liable to error, General. If the wind--it is south-east now; the thing is not likely, but it is possible--if the wind should get round to the west again, and blow harder, perhaps very hard, then there might be serious danger."
"We ought, then, to take advantage of the Captain's permission to leave the ship?"
"As the passage would be easy, and perfectly safe, I cannot at any rate advise against it; but then it should be done while there is still sufficient daylight: it would be best immediately."
"And you? You would remain--of course?"
"Of course, General."
"Thank you."