"Louis has a level head, and I advise you to consult him in any emergency that may arise."
"I shall certainly do so, Captain Ringgold, without any urging."
"Very well; but it is time now for you to get under way," added the commander, as he glanced at his watch. "Good-by, and a pleasant voyage to you, Captain Scott;" and the captain took his hand at parting.
Louis's mother embraced him, and Mrs. Woolridge pressed her boy to her heart, and there was a general shaking of hands, though the captain was confident, if he was not delayed in Gibraltar, that he should overhaul the Maud some time the next day. No whistles were blown, for it was desirable to get away as quietly as possible so as not to attract the attention of those on board of the Fatimé.
Captain Scott had spoken to Louis and Morris about the division of the crew into watches; and both of them were entirely satisfied with the arrangement, as they were with everything else that had been done on board. In a few minutes the Maud rounded Europa Point, and the captain gave out the course, east by south. The starboard watch were now on duty, and Felix was at the wheel. All the lights on board had been extinguished, for it was not advisable to attract the attention of the watch on board of the Pacha's steamer by them.
"We begin with the mid watch, from midnight till four in the morning," said the captain on the forecastle. "You are the mate, Morris; and you have charge of the port watch, which consists of yourself and Louis. I recommend you both to turn in at once, for sailors must take their sleep when they can get it."
"That will suit me exactly, for I was beginning to get sleepy as we came out from the Mole; but it was because I had nothing to do," replied Louis.
"I had Flix make up the beds in the cabin, and as you are the port watch, you will take the two beds on that side," added the captain.
"By the way, Captain Scott, where will Pitts berth?" asked Louis.
"Stevens has put up a berth for him against the bulkhead in the forecastle, and he has gone to bed as comfortably as though he had been in his father's house."