CHAPTER XXI
EUCHRING THE GRAND MOGUL
Felipe Garcia, as the engineer of the Maud, had now a tremendous stimulant in the discharge of his duty, and Louis was only afraid he would overdo it. When the boat seemed to be in danger of shaking herself to pieces under the pressure applied to her, he went to the engine-room to inspect the steam-gage.
"No danger," said Felipe confidently; and the visitor could find none in the gage.
He cautioned the engineer to be very careful, assuring him that it would be worse to be scalded to death with the steam than to be captured by the Pacha. Felipe shook his head, and seemed to have some doubts about the truth of the proposition. Louis went back to the pilot-house. He informed the captain that the engineer was driving the engine "for all it was worth."
"I have been running for that tower on Point Malabata," said the captain, as Louis placed himself at the window.
"You are going very close to the shore, and you can see for yourself that the tide is getting low," said Louis, after he had taken an observation ahead.
"So much the better," added Scott. "I suppose the soundings on this chart are given at mean low water, as on all the others I have used."
"Low water would be very mean if we should get aground here," suggested Louis, who could not help being a little nervous about the boiler and about the close proximity of the shore.
"We shall not get aground, for I have my eyes wide open, Louis, and I know what I am about as well as I do when I take my grub on an empty stomach. Don't you be alarmed, my boy, and that non-eater of pork will go back to Tangier beaten out of his boots, or rather his Morocco slippers, for he don't wear boots."