THE BATTLE ON THE DECK OF THE SALIHÉ
Scott had heard all the conversation with Gray on the forecastle, and fully acknowledged the authority of the self-appointed commander. He had rung one bell without any order to that effect. As he explained it afterwards, the fact that the steamer had been aground led him to fear that she might stick the heel of her false keel, if she had one, into another mud-bank, and perhaps cripple her rudder.
The acting captain did not object, for he knew that the pilot was more of a sailor than he was himself, and he took the trouble to nod his approval of what had been done. Fearing some interference on the part of Gray, Louis did not care to make an issue by directing him to go ahead. But Scott rang one bell again without any order, and the Salihé began to go ahead. The boat was whirled about by this movement, and came up alongside of the steamer as she gathered headway. Gray watched the craft and the men in it; but the latter made no demonstration, though Diego, as he called him, occasionally demanded that the Scotchman should "hurry up."
"I have a bit of business with you, Captain Belgrave," said Gray, when things had become quiet again on deck. "My friend Diego has a small vessel loaded with merchandise."
"I suppose he bought it at some of the houses whose light we can see half a mile up the Palmones," added Louis.
"That is neither here nor there. What odds does it make where the goods came from?" asked the Scotchman, beginning to manifest some of Diego's impatience.
"It does not make the least difference in the world to me; but it might to the Spanish custom-house officers," replied Louis lightly.
"You know more than the law allows to a young fellow; and I hope you are as prudent as you are wise," replied Gray, in a tone somewhat severe. "Captain Chickworth is my friend; and if he had not been obliged to go to a society meeting, he would have been here with the Salihé to assist me."
"But Captain Chickworth does not happen to be here to assist you; and my party have chartered his steamer, and they have the right to use her as they please."
"But, my dear Captain Belgrave, I will give you two pounds in good gold if you will assist me with your steamer; and we won't disturb your party in the least degree," pleaded the Scotchman, in tones that were now quite obsequious. "The money I give you will pay for the steamer."