"One way is as good as another for me," said the officer in a low voice, shrugging his shoulders, and then, in a loud tone, he added:
"Drop a second anchor," whereupon a second anchor fell into the sea with the same harsh sound as the first.
"How are you, uncle?" cried a clear boyish voice from the ship.
"Hello, Gonzalito! arrived all right, my boy?"
"Perfectly; here I come."
And with great agility the young fellow swung himself down by a rope into the boat.
"Let us go and meet him," said Don Rosendo, taking a step or two forward.
But Señor de las Cuevas caught the merchant by the arm and held him like a vise.
"Where are you going?"
"What is it?" asked the cod-merchant, in alarm. "Ah! it is true I did not recollect that this was the lower stage, the darkness—such a long time here, the dizziness from keeping one's eyes on the ship. My God! what would have become of me if you had not caught hold of me?"