Although an assailant may overpower one person, two can withstand him. Moreover, a three-stranded cord is not quickly broken.

After hoisting it on board, they used ropes to brace the ship, and since they were afraid of being stranded on the Syrtis quicksands, they lowered the sail and let her drift.

And yet we must be stranded on some island."

Then, afraid of being stranded on the rocks, they let go four anchors from the stern and longed for daylight.

But coming to a place where two seas met, they stranded the ship, and her bow sticking fast remained immovable, while the stern began to go to pieces under the heavy hammering of the sea.