"But the abbe and your secretary are gone for a walk, and two of my men are on shore, too."
"That's no matter; we shall pick them up again at Antibes; it's only ten leagues, and they have plenty of money. I must go, and directly. Make haste."
"All right."
He tripped the anchor, and the felucca began to swing away from the shore. The officer asked me in great astonishment what it meant.
"It means that I am going to Antibes and I shall be very glad to take you there for nothing."
"This is a fine jest! You are joking, surely?"
"Your company will be very pleasant on the journey."
"Pardieu! put me ashore, for with your leave, ladies, I cannot go to
Antibes."
"Put the gentleman ashore," said I to the master, "he does not seem to like our company."
"It's not that, upon my honour. These ladies are charming, but the prince would think that I was in the plot to play this trick upon him, which you must confess is rather strong."