“She can’t go too fast to suit me, captain,” said Sidney, watching with pleasure the shores as they glided past.
“Nor me either,” said the captain. “That officer is an old friend of mine, and he meant for me to sit up and take notice when he gave me that warning.”
“About the storm?” asked Raymond. “I wondered what he meant. It doesn’t look now as though it would ever storm.”
“He meant something worse than a windstorm,” said the captain. “But if I can have until to-morrow morning, they may do what they please.”
“Do you think Turkey is going into the war?” asked Sidney.
“I think that’s what they’re getting ready for,” replied the captain.
“Which side will they join?”
“Well, it won’t be England; I’m sure of that. They would just love to kick up a fuss in Egypt.”
Captain Foster kept close watch of the Princess Mary’s speed, and did not allow the engines to subside in the least. So long as they were threading the narrow Strait of the Bosporus, the boys were kept fully occupied in watching the various interesting sights on either side, and the numerous shipping which they met.
After a time, however, the ship drew out into the Sea of Marmora, and then there was less of interest to be seen. The captain, too, appeared distrait, and was not so good company as he had been while they were traversing the Black Sea. So the boys felt rather dull, and when night came they went to bed early.