For green to port keeps clear of you.'"
"She is still a long distance from the Maud; but what am I to do when we come nearer?" asked Louis.
"Red to starboard; we must keep out of her way," replied Morris. "She will do nothing, for she has the right of way. Port the helm a little and we shall go astern of her all right."
"Where do you find these international rules?" asked the wheelman, as he obeyed the order.
"I found them in 'The Sailor's Handy Book,' which will tell you all about a thousand nautical things," replied Morris. "I have a copy of it in my valise, and I will lend it to you to-morrow."
"Thank you; and I will buy it as soon as I can find one; but I am not likely to find one over here," added Louis.
An hour later the Maud passed astern of the approaching steamer, and she had evidently not changed her course a point.
The day had already begun to dawn in the east, in the Orient towards which the little vessel was sailing. She was still out of sight of land. At four bells, or six o'clock, Pitts came out of the forecastle, and Morris saluted him with a "good-morning," as if one had not been the chief officer and the other the cook, and Louis did the same.
"What time am I to have breakfast ready on board of this steamer?" asked Pitts.
"You must ask the captain; but you need not wake him for that purpose. Half-past seven is the hour on board the ship, and you had better be ready at that time," replied Morris; and Louis nodded assent when the mate looked at him.