"He will be smart enough to do it very soon. What would you have done, Captain Scott, if you had been the commander of the Fatimé?" asked Louis.
"Instead of doing as he has done, I should have headed her directly for Europa Point, and gained all the distance we are ahead of her."
"But you would have done the same thing as soon as she changed her course."
"That is true; but it is none of his bread and butter. We have no occasion to run into shoaler water now, and you may make the course east. Here, Flix, it is time for you to take your trick at the wheel," called Captain Scott.
"I'll be moighty glad to do ut!" exclaimed the Milesian. "But Oi'm willin' to aise up on my share of the foon for the benefut of the poilot and the odther dechk-hahnd."
"Take your turn, Flix, and head her east till you come to the Moro Rock," added the captain.
"Is ut the Moro Rochk? Faix, I don't know ut be soight; Oi've niver been introjuiced," said Felix, as he took the wheel.
"It is the first point you come to, about eight miles ahead."
Felix knew it when he came to it, and the course was then a point more to the north. The Fatimé did not change her direction till she was within a mile of the Tarifa lighthouse, and the ship's company of the Maud had imbibed a certain contempt for her, handsome as she was. Carnero Point was passed, and Felix was directed to run directly for the light on the New Mole, which was illuminated though it was not yet dark.
Louis had his watch in hand when the Maud ran alongside of the Guardian-Mother, and it was quarter of seven.