"We can get along a while on that, and we will not change our course at present," said the captain, settling the matter, at least for a time. "Don't boil any potatoes, Pitts; fry them, and keep what water there is for coffee."
"How far are we from the island of Alboran?" asked Louis.
"About fifty miles."
"We ought to be able to get some water there; for if the island is inhabited, as they say it is, the people there cannot live without it. The lightkeeper must have water."
"I don't know anything about it," replied Captain Scott. "There isn't a mile of land on it, and I should not care to go a great way off the course with the expectation of filling our casks there. Keep her going east by south, Morris."
Captain Scott went back to the cabin, followed by Felix, and both of them were soon fast asleep again. Pitts drew off the water from the jar, and went to work in the galley; but it was eight o'clock when breakfast was ready, for the cook had been delayed by the water question. The table was set in the cabin at the last moment, so that the sleepers might not be disturbed; and they were called only when the meal was ready.
Morris had just relieved the helm, and he insisted that Louis should go to breakfast first. The captain took his place at the head of the table, with Morris on his right and Louis on his left. Pitts left them to take care of themselves while he served the meal for the engineers; for they had decided to breakfast together in the engine-room, where a shelf served as a table.
"This is not bad for a beginning," said Captain Scott, as he seated himself and looked over the dishes on the table. "Ham and eggs are to my mind, though I served them half the time on board of the Seahound. They look very nice, and Pitts appears to be a good cook."
"I don't believe we shall starve, or suffer from thirst, in spite of the water famine," added Morris.
"The praties are moighty foine," said Felix. "Ye's couldn't get a betther male in an Oirish castle."