"What time is it, Flix?" he called to the wheelman, after he had taken an observation with the glass.
"Half-past eleven, Captain," replied Felix.
"Alboran in sight through the glass," added Scott.
"How far off is it? Are we in any danger of running over the island, and knocking the lighthouse into flinders?" asked the Milesian.
"No danger yet, for it is at least twelve miles distant," replied the captain. "It gives me great satisfaction to know that my calculations were correct."
"Well it might; you do that sort of thing as well as the captain of the Guardian-Mother," added Felix.
Scott watched the lighthouse till the helmsman struck eight bells, which was noon. Then he went aft and called the port watch.
"Where are we now, Captain?" asked Louis, rubbing his eyes.
"Alboran light in sight, and about seven miles distant," replied Scott, as he hastened forward again, for he had seen a felucca ahead, and he wished to speak to her.
When he reached the forecastle, he shouted through the scuttle for Don, who came on deck immediately. It was time to relieve Felipe at the engine; but the captain ordered all hands, and the Spaniard was requested to remain at his post. Pitts was busy in the galley getting dinner. The felucca in sight was a large one, and evidently belonged to the island. She was standing out from the lighthouse, and as soon as the Maud was near enough to her, the captain ordered Morris to stop her, for he had just relieved Felix.