Uncle Paul directed a glance at the skipper, who stood scowling close by.
“Thank you, doctor,” he granted, as he gave a nod. “And I feel sure that this Spanish captain, who is evidently an ordinary trader, will prove perfectly inoffensive; and besides, my dear sir, we are not at war now, and what enemies can you have to fear?”
“Ah, yes,” said the Count bitterly, as he made a deprecating gesture with his hands, turning and directing his words at his son; “what enemies can we have to fear?”
“Well, I am glad you look upon it in that light,” said the doctor. “Now, if it had been years ago, with your smart little craft, and you had been followed up here by a small sloop of war, or an English letter of marque, you might have expected to be made a prize. But this is an ordinary Spanish schooner, and though I suspected it at first, I don’t think she is tainted by the slave trade, but engaged in traffic with the natives for the sake of palm-oil.”
“Perhaps you are right, sir,” said the Count.
“I feel sure I am,” said the doctor, “and I must confess to having hailed this man’s coming, from the help he will be to me in a little expedition I propose to make when we have seen the brig restored and all set right.”
“I thank you,” said the Count, “but I am so anxious for the success of my own scientific search that I have got into the habit of seeing enemies in every one, even as I did, doctor, in you and your men. And you see this is an armed vessel with a very strong crew.”
“Well,” said the doctor good-humouredly, “we have armed vessels with very strong crews. Anxiety has made you nervous, Count. Here’s your doctor,” he said, turning to Captain Chubb, “and before many days have passed he will have cured all your trouble, and we can get to sea again.”
“Ah, yes, that will be better,” said the Count, wiping his moist brow. “You must forgive me, doctor—and you too, Captain Chubb. I am impatient, I know. But I see now all will be well. One moment, though: you said we can get to sea again. We? You will sail with me?”
“My dear sir,” said the doctor, “you need have no fear. Captain Chubb will make your brig as sound as ever. You will need to look for no further assistance from me.”