Dick, who had felt decidedly uncomfortable during this scene, grinned foolishly. Colonel Ashton laughed aloud, and Mr. Willing smiled.
“Funny things happen, my boy,” exclaimed the latter, slapping Dick on the back. “You learn something every minute.”
And in the other room Mabel said:
“We shall never, never quarrel again.”
“Never!” agreed Shirley.
CHAPTER IX.—ADRIFT.
In the distance the Cuban city of Havana was slipping slowly from sight. Aft on the promenade deck Shirley, Mabel and the others of the party, together with many other passengers, were casting last looks at the island metropolis.
The sun was just sinking below the horizon, but there were still several hours before darkness would fall. The view was indeed picturesque and the passengers were impressed with it.
The steamship Yucatan was now on the last leg of her journey toward Colon.
In the main salon a crowd of men had gathered. On the upper deck, the gallery deck, the promenade deck and the main deck they had also gathered in knots. They blocked the main staircase and the exits from the engine room below.