"When we're out of Soundings."
"Where's that?" said I.
"Clear of the Chops," he answered. "If you come up when the land's still in sight the captain'll send you ashore by anything that'll take you, and you'll be handed over to the authorities and charged."
"How shall I know when we're clear of the Chops?" said I.
"I'll drop below into the lazarette on some excuse and tell you," he answered. "You'll be very careful when you turn up, Mr. Peploe, not to let them guess that anybody's lent you a hand in this here hiding job. If they find out I'm your friend, then it's all up with Jem Back. He's a stone-broke young man, and his parents'll be wishing of themselves dead rather than they should have lived to see this hour."
"I have sworn, and you may trust me, Back."
"Right," said he. "And now, is there e'er a question you'd like to ask before you drop below?"
"When does the ship haul out?"
"They may be doing of it even whilst we're talking," he said.
"Can I make my escape out of the lazarette should I feel very ill, or as if I was going to suffocate?"