The "Old Hands"-- who had been through the Passage before--suspected, but said nothing, save among themselves.

It was likely that the weak and sickly would go first, and that there would be more room for those remaining.

The Old Hands were satisfied.
Three of these Old Hands were conversing together just behind the partition of Dawes's bunk.

As we have said, the berths were five feet square, and each contained six men.No.10, the berth occupied by Dawes, was situated on the corner made by the joining of the starboard and centre lines, and behind it was a slight recess, in which the scuttle was fixed.

His "mates" were at present but three in number, for John Rex and the cockney tailor had been removed to the hospital.