Diego was not to be seen as the steamer approached the stern of the Guardian-Mother; and Louis could see that the taffrail was covered with heads, and all the party on board, as well as the officers and seamen, were watching the approach of the Salihé, for her appearance with a vessel in tow had doubtless given them all a fit of wonderment.
"We have made an adventure out of this excursion, Flix, after all, as Captain Ringgold insisted that we should, though he could not possibly indicate what it might be," said Louis. "If you can keep Captain Velazquez at a respectful distance, I will go on the hurricane deck and hail the ship."
"He will not run his nose into any of the barrels of my revolver, you may be sure of that."
By this time Scott had neutralized the headway of the schooner so that the tow-line was taut, and the Salihé was moving at a snail's pace. Louis ascended to the upper deck, which was nothing more than the roof of the cabin, and hailed the Guardian-Mother.
"On board the Salihé!" responded Captain Ringgold; and his tones indicated that he could hardly speak on account of a tendency he had to indulge in a hearty laugh. "Have you captured a Spanish man-of-war?"
"No, sir; but we have taken in a gang of smugglers with their schooner; and I will thank you to send half a dozen men on board to help us take care of them," returned Louis.
"All right; I will do so," answered the commander, as the gong rang to stop the little steamer.
Scott ran her very skilfully alongside the gangway, and by the time she touched the platform Morris threw the heave-line attached to the forward fast to the deck of the ship, and it was hauled on board. At about the same moment the first officer, followed by ten seamen, leaped over the rail of the Salihé.
"Go aft, Mr. Boulong, and look out for the captain of the schooner, who is still on board of her. Flix is there, and he will tell you all about it," called Louis, as the party from the ship came on board.
"Ay, ay, Mr. Belgrave!" replied Mr. Boulong, as he rushed forward followed by all the sailors.