To think about them was to begin wishing to have a look at them, and to begin wishing was with me to walk forward to where they were confined, with a couple of marines on duty with loaded rifles and fixed bayonets.
The men challenged as I marched up.
"It's all right," I said.

"I only want to have a look at them." "Can't pass, sir, without orders," said the man.
"But I'm an officer," I said testily.

"I'm not going to help them escape." The marine grinned.
"No, sir, 'tain't likely; but we has strict orders.

You ask my mate, sir." "Yes, sir; that's it, sir," said the other respectfully.
"What a bother!" I cried impatiently.

"I only wanted to see how they looked." "'Tain't my fault, sir; strict orders.