"No, I would not, for I am not the same fellow I was then, I hope."
"You certainly are not, Captain Scott," added Louis very decidedly.
"There are some camels on the shore!" exclaimed Felix, pointing to the animals.
"We saw enough of them in Mogadore," added Scott indifferently. "But if we are not going ashore, we will take a turn along the front of the city, and then head her for Gibraltar."
It was decided not to visit the city; and Morris was instructed to take the steamer along the shore, for the water was deep enough within a quarter of a mile of it. The Maud passed quite near to a great many feluccas with lateen sails, but there were no large vessels in sight.
Felipe had reduced the speed of the Maud so that she appeared to be making about ten knots an hour, which the captain said was fast enough for ordinary purposes; but the boat, it was now known, could make twelve, whenever occasion should require. The ship's company were soon satisfied with the view they obtained of the castle, the arches, the domed mosques, and the minarets, and the steamer stood out towards the broad entrance to the Strait.
Though Morris declared that he did not wish to be relieved at the wheel, the captain ordered Louis to take his place. The pilot insisted that it was nothing but fun to steer the boat, and he enjoyed every moment of the time he was so employed.
"But if it is fun, Morris, don't you think you ought to give the other fellows their share of it?" asked Captain Scott, with a cheerful smile on his face, as though he realized that he was addressing the pet son of a millionaire.
"I did not take that view of it, Captain, and was looking upon it as work, of which I was willing to do the lion's share," replied Morris. "I will cheerfully resign my place to Louis, and give him his share of the fun."
Louis took the wheel. The situation was not a novel one to him; for he had done his full part of the steering when it was regarded as work, especially from midnight till morning. But all the crew looked upon it as play under present circumstances. The Maud was now off the three tall arches, which seemed to be the support of a lofty battery at the seaward corner of the continuous wall which surrounded the city. The exterior view of the place had been obtained, and the captain was about to lay his course for Gibraltar.