Louis and Morris went aft and turned in, and they were soon asleep. In one hour from his point of departure Captain Scott took the bearings of Estapona Light, and found that the Maud had made just ten miles. This was the rate he had instructed Felipe, who occupied the nominal position of chief engineer, to make. All was going on very well.
While the Maud is pursuing her course towards the Orient it becomes necessary to return to the Guardian-Mother. The cabin party had watched the little steamer as she sailed away, and the commander was not alone in wondering into what adventure the big four would fall this time. The boys seemed to be unable to make an excursion of any kind without having some mishap overtake them.
A few months before Mrs. Belgrave would not willingly have permitted her son to leave her under such circumstances as those in which he had just sailed away in the Maud; but Dr. Hawkes appeared to have cured her of her nervousness, and on all questions she was as reasonable as could be expected of any devoted mother.
The surgeon was very attentive to her and so was Captain Ringgold. Probably the general improvement of her health, produced by the voyage under such pleasant conditions, did something to account for the cure of her nervous malady. She retired as soon as the little steamer could no longer be seen; and it was not to toss about all the night in wakeful tremors at the absence of Louis, but she went to sleep at once and did not wake till the first bell rang in the morning.
After breakfast the commander had business in the city; and, as some of the party wished to make a few purchases, he went to the Ragged Staff stairs in the barge, the entire party accompanying him. He allowed the visitors but two hours, for he intended to get the Guardian-Mother under way as soon as possible.
In its course to the stairs the barge had to pass near the Fatimé. The eight oarsmen, all dressed in the neat uniform of the steamer, presented a rather showy appearance, and she was observed with attention by all who saw her. The party separated as soon as they landed, or divided up into smaller groups, each of which had its own errands.
During the absence of the big four the afternoon before, the commander had made his preparations for receiving the Maud on the upper deck of the ship. Skids to support her had been placed where the deck was strengthened by the bulkheads, or partitions under it, and heavy eye-bolts had been screwed to the planks, each over a timber, for the stays to keep the craft in position.
He had employed a ship-smith to do most of the work, though the carpenter's gang did the wood-work. The captain's first business was to pay this smith, and when he had done so he went to the principal street to purchase some additional charts and nautical instruments. He had selected these articles, and had them sent down to the barge. His next business was at the custom-house.
On the way Uncle Moses joined him, for he had no taste for other people's shopping. They had walked but a short distance before they encountered the Pacha, elegantly dressed in his Oriental robes, and followed by four of his people. Every one in the street stopped to gaze at them; for His Highness was a sight even in Gibraltar, where nearly every nation seemed to be represented on its thoroughfares.
After the event of the preceding evening Captain Ringgold was sorry to see him, though it was not in his nature to run away from any man. Uncle Moses always carried a cane when he walked, and he noticed that his companion had one, though he had never seen him use one before. The squire suggested that they should step into a store they were passing, but the commander declined to do so.