It had been far otherwise with Felipe Garcias, who had been the engineer of the Salihé in the Pacha's employ, for he was a Spaniard, and only eighteen years old. He was very religious; and, like the Mohammedans, he was very strict in the observance of his Catholic duties, and had a high moral sense. The distinguished Moor conducted some very questionable enterprises on board of the little steamer, and when the young man objected to obeying some of his orders, he was abused and maltreated. For this reason he had run away from his Mohammedan employer. It was largely a religious matter with him, while the Englishmen on board of the Fatimé did not trouble themselves or the Pacha about such questions.
"That steamer belongs to me!" shouted the mighty Mohammedan.
"That steamer belongs to me."
"We bought her and paid for her," returned the captain of the Maud; but the remark of the owner of the Fatimé seemed to open a new question.
Louis was startled at the claim of ownership made by the Pacha. Captain Chickworth had told a plausible story of the manner in which he had come into possession of the little steamer, and not a doubt had been raised or suggested in regard to his title in the craft. The young millionaire had not seen Chickworth's bill of sale from the Pacha; but he concluded that he had one, and probably Captain Ringgold had required it to be produced when he paid for her.
"Does he own the craft we are sailing in?" asked Felix, taking in the force of the Pacha's claim.
"Decidedly not," replied Louis. "I have not looked into Chickworth's rights in the steamer, and I never thought of the matter before. Captain Ringgold must have seen the Moor's bill of sale to him, and perhaps has it among his papers now."