"None whatever, sir," replied Scott, hardly understanding the meaning of the question.
"Boys will sometimes get up ill-feeling and even quarrels among themselves when they are off on their own hook," added Captain Ringgold with a smile.
"There has not been a particle of trouble of any kind, or anything like ill-feeling," protested Scott very warmly. "Every one has obeyed orders, and when I bent on the foresail in the gale all were ready to work, whether they were on watch or not. It was a hard job on the promenade deck, which would not hold still a moment, and where we were wet to the skin with every spray that flopped over her. I have not heard a growl or a grumble since we sailed from Gib. Pitts and Don have done all kinds of work, and done it cheerfully."
"Your report is excellent, Captain Scott. I have been considering whether or not I should hoist the Maud on the upper deck of the ship," replied the commander.
"Of course I haven't anything to say about that sir; but I believe I could go around the world in the Maud. Our casks leaked all the water out, and we had to get a fresh supply off Alboran;" and Scott detailed the meeting with the felucca.
"You have done so well, and got along so pleasantly, that I will not take the Maud on board of the ship, and you shall proceed on the voyage."
Captain Ringgold marked the course for the Maud on the chart to Constantinople. Louis and Morris returned to the little steamer at the end of the hour, and both vessels proceeded on the voyage.
CHAPTER XXXIII
THE PROFESSOR'S LECTURE ON ALGERIA
It would require several volumes to detail all the particulars of the daily life of the big four on board of the Maud during the long voyage from the point where the two vessels had met to Constantinople, where Captain Ringgold had decided to make his next stay of any length. The routine of duty and the ordinary experience of the young Americans afloat have been described so that the reader can understand how the days were passed on board of the Maud.