The application was duly considered, and, no objection being made, permission for the excursion was granted.
CHAPTER XVIII
AN AFTERNOON EXCURSION TO TANGIER
Louis had applied for permission to make the excursion to Tangier on his own account, though he knew it would be exceedingly agreeable to the other members of the ship's company, for it would give them practice in their duties. He had spoken to the commander about the engineer; and he had promptly consented to ship another oiler, for it was enough for Felipe to run the engine of the Maud and take proper care of it, as it was a very nice piece of machinery. At the same time he added fifty per cent to the wages of this officer.
He had ordered Mr. Sage to provide a suitable lunch for the steamer; for it was thirty miles to Tangier, and it would require at least seven hours for the Maud to go there and return, and the excursionists would get hungry before they came back.
"But why can't we go with them, Captain Ringgold?" asked Mrs. Belgrave. "It will certainly be a very pleasant trip, and there must be something there to see."
"I thought of going to Tangier in the Guardian-Mother," replied the commander; "but you have seen a specimen of Mohammedan places at Mogadore, and I have reserved most of that species of sights for Constantinople, where you will see them in their full glory and on a large scale. Then the boys are going over there simply to experiment with their new organization and see how it works, and I think they would prefer to be alone. Besides, Tangier is in Morocco; and it is remotely possible that Ali-Noury Pacha may be there, for it is over three weeks since the Fatimé went out to sea through the Strait."
"I am quite satisfied to remain," replied the lady.
"Very likely the boys will not land at all at Tangier, for they have no time to do so."
"I certainly don't want to go there if there is the least danger of meeting the Pacha," added Mrs. Belgrave.