“They have 300 tons, and are waiting out there for the Cape mail steamer, due early to-morrow morning.”
“Well, the mail steamer will have to wait. That is our coal.”
Chapter Nine.
Coaling the Catcher.
Lieutenant Webster joined the Portuguese officer in the chart-room, where, with his gallant attempts to speak French, and his readiness to join in the laughter at his own most amusing blunders, he quite charmed Lieutenant Gobo, who grew confidential, and imparted an interesting item of news.
“You will remain with us, amigo mio, and we will crack many a bottle of old Madeira in a posado kept by an old man with two lovely daughters.”
“Thanks, señor, with pleasure, if we do not depart to-morrow.”
“To-morrow! What say you? We have a proverb that says that the wages of to-morrow mock the promise of yesterday. To-morrow you will all be our very good guests.”