The boatman protested that he would not whisper a sound to any one, and he was permitted to depart. Captain Ringgold seemed to be somewhat perplexed, for he bit his lip, and his forehead wrinkled as though he was doing some heavy thinking. Doubtless he was considering whether or not he was doing right in harboring the fugitive from the Mohammedan craft; but the man had been abused, and had not been able to procure his discharge from the vessel, or he would not have jumped overboard and swam away from her.
The commander believed the man was honest, and his narrative was consistent in itself. He was an expert in the reading of character. He asked some further questions, and learned that his name was John Donald. He had been fourth engineer of the Spanish steamer Guadiana, which had been wrecked in the West Indies. He was tempted to take a position as oiler in the Fatimé by the high wages offered him; but he had been cheated out of half that was due him by the engineer, whom he called a brute and a villain, though he was his own countryman.
"Pass the word for Mr. Belgrave; invite him to come on board of the Maud, Mr. Boulong," said the commander when he had decided what to do.
One of the men was sent on board the ship for him, and while he was absent the captain went to the engine-room. Louis presently came on board and found the captain trying to understand what the engineer was saying to him.
"I don't get ahead much in talking with Felipe," said he with a laugh. "His English and my Spanish are about on a par. I want to know what there is under the forecastle of the Maud, for I have never looked the boat over very closely."
"I can tell you that, sir, without any help from Felipe," replied Louis. "It has a forecastle below deck as well as above. It is a very cunning little apartment, in which there are two berths."
"I live in there when I was in Mogadore," interposed the engineer.
"Take off the hatch-cover, Felipe;" and the captain and owner followed him to the forecastle.
The scuttle was removed, and a sort of step-ladder appeared leading down to the little room. It was dimly lighted by bulls' eyes of glass in the deck; but with the scuttle taken off one could see to read there.
"Send Donald, the turkey-buzzard, down here, Mr. Boulong," called the captain; and in a few moments the fugitive descended the steps.