"We are all right in two fathoms," replied Louis. "The report was 'mark under water,' which gives more than that."
"I want some leeway under the keel, for whatever you may think of me, I am a prudent fellow," laughed Scott. "Now we have to decide on our future course. If I follow the shore and keep in shallow water, it will take us a long way out of our course, for it trends to the south, forming the arc of a considerable circle."
"We don't want to go out of our way if we can help it," added Louis.
"This is Point Al Boassa broad on the starboard bow, about a mile distant," continued Scott, pointing to it.
"That sounds like a Moorish name."
"It is the name on the chart; and that is all I know or care about it. Now, it is just ten miles across the Strait to Tarifa."
"Not more than that?"
"Exactly that; but it is fifteen miles more to the New Mole in Gibraltar. The question to be decided within the next five minutes is whether we shall follow the shore to the south-east, or stick it across to Tarifa."
"How much the lead of the Fatimé have we?" asked Louis.
"We shall come out a mile and a half ahead of her; but she is going to develop more speed very soon."