"We ought to get into fifty-five fathoms to the west, and avoid even twenty fathoms to the east."
"We'll sound as we get on."
"The Channel is not an ordinary sea. The water rises fifty feet with the spring tides, and twenty-five with neap tides. Here we are in slack water. I thought you looked scared."
"We'll sound to-night."
"To sound you must heave to, and that you cannot do."
"Why not?"
"On account of the wind."
"We'll try."
"The squall is close on us."
"We'll sound, Master Doctor."