We met few people, and as we reached the sands yet fewer.

When we came to a stand, just where the causeway now begins (it was not built then), nobody was in sight.

The duke took out his watch.
"We are punctual to the minute," said he.

"I hope those fellows won't be very late, or the best of the light will be gone." There were some large flat blocks of stone lying by the roadside, and we sat down on them and waited.

We were both smoking, and we found little to say to one another.