"He declines to receive you, sir," added Mr. Boulong.
"Declines to receive me!" exclaimed the Pacha. "This is an insult!"
"I don't know what it is; but I obey my orders, sir," returned the officer.
"But I must see him!" protested the owner of the Fatimé, as he laid his hand upon the steps, as though he intended to ascend them to the deck.
"Knott and Williams," called Mr. Boulong; and the two men presented themselves on the instant.
"Haul in the gangway!" said the officer sharply.
The Pacha held on at the steps; but the men, who were good seamen, obeyed their orders to the letter, and in a moment more His Highness was hanging to them over the deep water.
"The Pacha held on at the steps."