"But the course you gave out was south south-west."
"Which is precisely the course I wish to make."
"But I should think that would take you over upon Carnero Point."
"There is about eighteen and a half degrees of variation in the compass here, and the course I gave out will take us about south."
"I did not think of the variation," added Louis.
"If you look on the chart of these waters, you will find the diagram of the compass with the magnetic north indicated, and the other points adjusted to it," replied Captain Scott, as he produced the plan of the Strait of Gibraltar. "Using this you could not forget the variation, which is here given at 18° 50.′"
"I see that you are quite up on your navigation, Captain Scott."
"When I was sailing the Seahound I was sometimes out of sight of land, and if I hadn't known what I was about I should not have been able to get there."
"I think you are all right," added Louis, as he went aft.
He went into the engine-room, where he found Felipe as enthusiastic as the captain of the steamer. He was delighted to have a more responsible position than on board of the Guardian-Mother, and especially with the increase of his wages. He was an exceedingly steady young man, and Mr. Shafter and Mr. Sentrick had been very much pleased with him. They declared that he understood a marine engine perfectly; in fact, he had a genius for mechanics and machinery.