So spoke the Captain, whose coolness was undisturbed by the misfortune which his own obstinacy had caused. There was the fact that on the charts, by which he and every other captain had to steer, fifteen feet were marked at this place; and the gentlemen at the head of affairs might take the blame to themselves and provide better charts, or, at any rate, proper buoys. And if, as he very well knew, other captains had for years past avoided this shoal, and had preferred to go some miles out of their way, he had constantly since then, and even the day before yesterday, crossed this very spot. However, he had no objection to launching the large boat and landing the passengers, for them to get on their way afterwards as best they could. "The man is drunk or mad!" said the President, when the Captain had turned his broad back and retired to his post. "It is a sin and a shame that such a man should command a ship, even a mere tub; but I will have a strict inquiry held, and he shall receive exemplary punishment." The President's long thin person quivered with anger, fear, and cold; the General shrugged his shoulders. "That is all very fine and very well, my dear President," said he; "but it will come a little too late, and will not help us out of our awkward position. On principle, I never interfere in matters which I do not understand; but I wish we had some one on board who could advise us what to do. We must not ask the sailors--that would be encouraging insubordination. What do you want, Elsa?" Elsa had looked at him meaningly. He went up to her and repeated his question. "Ask that gentleman," said Elsa. "What gentleman?" "That one there; he is a sailor, he can certainly advise you best." The General fixed his sharp eyes upon the person designated. "Ah, that man," said he. "He really does look as if he might----" "Does not he?" said Elsa. "And he told me before that we should run aground." "Of course he does not belong to the ship?" "Oh no--at least, I think--but speak to him yourself." The General went up to the "Indefatigable." "I am told, sir, that you are a sailor." "I am." "Navigating officer?" "Merchant captain: Reinhold Schmidt." "My name is General von Werben. I should be much obliged to you, sir, if you would give me your opinion, as a sailor, upon our situation; of course in strict confidence. I should be sorry to ask you to give evidence against a comrade, or in any way to shake his authority, which we may still possibly stand much in need of. Is the captain, in your opinion, to blame for our mishap?"