CHAPTER XXVI
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.