How is that?"

Master Doctor, my usual cruise is to Ireland. I sail from Fontarabia to

Black Harbour or to the Achill Islands. I go sometimes to Braich-y-Pwll,

a point on the Welsh coast. But I always steer outside the Scilly

Islands. I do not know this sea at all."

That's serious. Woe to him who is inexperienced on the ocean! One ought

to be familiar with the Channel--the Channel is the Sphinx. Look out for

shoals."

We are in twenty-five fathoms here."

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?"

138

The Man Who Laughs