THE PACHA FINDS HE HAS CAUGHT A TARTAR
About half-past eleven all the ship's company were on board of the
Maud, and Louis was engaged in showing the cabin party of the ship
over the little steamer. They found that Pitts had put everything in
order in the galley, which is the kitchen, though the same name is also
applied to the stove. He had made a fire, and washed all the dishes,
proving that he was inclined to be neat and nice. The provisions as
well as the water-casks had been stowed away in the run, from which a
scuttle opened in the floor of the standing-room.
The ladies approved the housekeeping of the cook, and were conducted to
the engine-room, where the new hand was presented to them, for they all
knew Felipe, and had done a great deal for him. Then they went to the
cabin, where Felix had slept an hour, and was no longer sleepy. He had
made up the four beds on the divans, all with sheets and pillows, for
Mrs. Belgrave and Mrs. Woolridge had insisted that their sons should go
to bed regularly and in due form, and not merely lie down on the sofa.
The ladies were satisfied with the accommodations, and the surgeon
approved the ventilation and sanitary arrangements. While the cabin
party of the ship were inspecting the Maud, Captain Ringgold went to
the pilot-house with Scott. The shelf the carpenter had made and put
up that evening had been dropped into position, and part of the chart
of the Mediterranean placed upon it. There were two of them to cover
this sea, and each of them was four feet and a half long by three and
a half wide; and by the advice of the captain Scott had cut each of
them in halves, and he had recommended him to cut out the small plans
of thirty ports and harbors so that they could be used conveniently, at
his leisure.
"Now, Captain Scott, show me how you are going to navigate your
steamer," said the commander, as he placed himself at the table; and
the room was well lighted for the occasion.
"I shall take my departure from Europa Point," replied Scott, putting
the point of his pencil upon it. "My first run will be to Alboran
Light, distance 130.22 nautical miles."
"Very well, indeed, Captain Scott," laughed the commander. "The coon
evidently came down when you made your figures."
"The course will be east by south, with 18° 40′ variation of the
compass to the westward. From Alboran Light to a point ten miles north
of Algiers the course will be east a quarter south, distance 344.16
miles. That is as far as I have worked it up, sir."
"That is far enough for the present; but if I do not overhaul you in
the Guardian-Mother before that time, you will work around Cape Bon,
and make for Valetta, Malta, going to the south of the island, taking a
pilot off Marsa if you find one. You must watch the weather, and if it
comes on to blow a heavy gale, you will make a port if necessary."
"I don't think it will be necessary, sir, for I am sure the Maud is
a good sea-boat, and she can stand anything we are likely to get
at this season of the year. She can take in no water except in the
standing-room, and that will not hold enough to do us any harm. I
should be willing to cross the Atlantic in her in the winter, so far
as her safety is concerned, though it would not be very comfortable on
board of her."
"Young men are usually over-confident. I counsel you to be very
prudent, Captain Scott."
"I am always so in a boat, sir," protested the young navigator.
"Louis has a level head, and I advise you to consult him in any
emergency that may arise."
"I shall certainly do so, Captain Ringgold, without any urging."
"Very well; but it is time now for you to get under way," added the
commander, as he glanced at his watch. "Good-by, and a pleasant voyage
to you, Captain Scott;" and the captain took his hand at parting.
Louis's mother embraced him, and Mrs. Woolridge pressed her boy to her
heart, and there was a general shaking of hands, though the captain
was confident, if he was not delayed in Gibraltar, that he should
overhaul the Maud some time the next day. No whistles were blown,
for it was desirable to get away as quietly as possible so as not to
attract the attention of those on board of the Fatimé.
Captain Scott had spoken to Louis and Morris about the division of the
crew into watches; and both of them were entirely satisfied with the
arrangement, as they were with everything else that had been done on
board. In a few minutes the Maud rounded Europa Point, and the captain
gave out the course, east by south. The starboard watch were now on
duty, and Felix was at the wheel. All the lights on board had been
extinguished, for it was not advisable to attract the attention of the
watch on board of the Pacha's steamer by them.
"We begin with the mid watch, from midnight till four in the morning,"
said the captain on the forecastle. "You are the mate, Morris; and you
have charge of the port watch, which consists of yourself and Louis.
I recommend you both to turn in at once, for sailors must take their
sleep when they can get it."
"That will suit me exactly, for I was beginning to get sleepy as we
came out from the Mole; but it was because I had nothing to do,"
replied Louis.
"I had Flix make up the beds in the cabin, and as you are the port
watch, you will take the two beds on that side," added the captain.
"By the way, Captain Scott, where will Pitts berth?" asked Louis.
"Stevens has put up a berth for him against the bulkhead in the
forecastle, and he has gone to bed as comfortably as though he had been
in his father's house."
Louis and Morris went aft and turned in, and they were soon asleep. In
one hour from his point of departure Captain Scott took the bearings
of Estapona Light, and found that the Maud had made just ten miles.
This was the rate he had instructed Felipe, who occupied the nominal
position of chief engineer, to make. All was going on very well.
While the Maud is pursuing her course towards the Orient it becomes
necessary to return to the Guardian-Mother. The cabin party had watched
the little steamer as she sailed away, and the commander was not alone
in wondering into what adventure the big four would fall this time.
The boys seemed to be unable to make an excursion of any kind without
having some mishap overtake them.
A few months before Mrs. Belgrave would not willingly have permitted
her son to leave her under such circumstances as those in which he had
just sailed away in the Maud; but Dr. Hawkes appeared to have cured her
of her nervousness, and on all questions she was as reasonable as could
be expected of any devoted mother.
The surgeon was very attentive to her and so was Captain Ringgold.
Probably the general improvement of her health, produced by the voyage
under such pleasant conditions, did something to account for the cure
of her nervous malady. She retired as soon as the little steamer could
no longer be seen; and it was not to toss about all the night in
wakeful tremors at the absence of Louis, but she went to sleep at once
and did not wake till the first bell rang in the morning.
After breakfast the commander had business in the city; and, as some of
the party wished to make a few purchases, he went to the Ragged Staff
stairs in the barge, the entire party accompanying him. He allowed the
visitors but two hours, for he intended to get the Guardian-Mother
under way as soon as possible.
In its course to the stairs the barge had to pass near the Fatimé.
The eight oarsmen, all dressed in the neat uniform of the steamer,
presented a rather showy appearance, and she was observed with
attention by all who saw her. The party separated as soon as they
landed, or divided up into smaller groups, each of which had its own
errands.
During the absence of the big four the afternoon before, the commander
had made his preparations for receiving the Maud on the upper deck
of the ship. Skids to support her had been placed where the deck was
strengthened by the bulkheads, or partitions under it, and heavy
eye-bolts had been screwed to the planks, each over a timber, for the
stays to keep the craft in position.
He had employed a ship-smith to do most of the work, though the
carpenter's gang did the wood-work. The captain's first business was to
pay this smith, and when he had done so he went to the principal street
to purchase some additional charts and nautical instruments. He had
selected these articles, and had them sent down to the barge. His next
business was at the custom-house.
On the way Uncle Moses joined him, for he had no taste for other
people's shopping. They had walked but a short distance before they
encountered the Pacha, elegantly dressed in his Oriental robes, and
followed by four of his people. Every one in the street stopped to gaze
at them; for His Highness was a sight even in Gibraltar, where nearly
every nation seemed to be represented on its thoroughfares.
After the event of the preceding evening Captain Ringgold was sorry
to see him, though it was not in his nature to run away from any man.
Uncle Moses always carried a cane when he walked, and he noticed that
his companion had one, though he had never seen him use one before. The
squire suggested that they should step into a store they were passing,
but the commander declined to do so.
"Sir!" exclaimed the Pacha, halting in front of the captain, who
attempted to proceed on his way without noticing him. "Coward! You
shall not escape me! You have insulted me, and you refuse to meet me
like a gentleman!" added Ali-Noury, as he seized the commander by the
throat.
But His Highness made a mistake, and in consequence thereof the next
instant he was rolling in the mud at the side of the driveway, to the
serious detriment of his magnificent costume. His attendants sprang to
his assistance, and lifted him from the mire into which he had fallen.
As they did so both the Americans discovered that he had a cowhide
in his hand, and it was plain that he had intended to castigate the
captain with this implement.
He spoke to his servants, as doubtless they were, in his own language.
The four men rushed upon the commander and attempted to lay hold of
him. For the moment he seemed to forget that he had a cane in his hand;
for when one of his assailants seized him by the collar of his coat,
he planted a tremendous blow between the two eyes of the fellow which
knocked him over into the gutter. Another attempted to do the same
thing and shared the fate of the first. The Pacha became furious at the
defeat of his satellites.
Ali-Noury spoke to the other two very fiercely, and they rushed
together upon the captain; but Uncle Moses had by this time overcome
his professional dignity, and dealt a smart blow with his cane over the
head of one of the assailants, which caused him to step aside, while
the commander upset the other with his fist.
The usual crowd had quickly gathered, and a couple of policemen
stepped to the front. It was not convenient for them to pick up seven
persons at once, and the guardians of the peace waited for further
developments. Ali-Noury had become more furious than ever when he
witnessed the overthrow of his forces; and, beside himself in his
wrath, he rushed forward upon Captain Ringgold.
The policemen were alert enough; and when the commander was about to
defend himself again as he had done before, they seized His Highness,
a hand of each on the throat of their victim; and they were not tender
about it. The affair brought out the fact that the reputation of the
Pacha was as unsavory as in Funchal. The officers marched him off in
spite of his struggles, and his troop followed him.
Before Captain Ringgold could reach the barge he and Uncle Moses were
invited to appear before a magistrate and give their evidence. Their
story was confirmed by half a dozen who had seen the beginning of the
affray, and His Highness was sentenced to pay a heavy fine.