They were talking to each other sideways. The sailor never turned his gaze from the southern end of the valley.
"It is no more hopeless now than last night or this morning," he replied.
"But suppose we are kept here for several days?"
"That was always an unpleasant probability."
"We had water then. Even with an ample supply it would be difficult to hold out. As things are, such a course becomes simply impossible."
Her despondency pierced his soul. A slow agony was consuming her.
"It is hard, I admit," he said. "Nevertheless you must bear up until night falls. Then we will either obtain water or leave this place."
"Surely we can do neither."
"We may be compelled to do both."
"But how?"