"That will probably lift within an hour. Do you know your position?"
"Only in a general way. We have held an east by south course since leaving the Capes, until an hour ago, making about ten knots."
"Very well, I will figure it out as best I can, and mark it on the chart. There is nothing further to report?"
"No Senor; all has been as it is now."
He glanced toward Estada, not greatly pleased I presume with my brusqueness, yet finding nothing in either words or manner from which to evoke a quarrel. The latter had overheard our conversation, but he stood now with back toward us looking out on the sea off the port quarter. His silent indifference caused LeVere to shrug his shoulders, and disappear down the ladder on his way below. I turned my face to the man at the wheel—it was the giant negro—Cochose.
CHAPTER XV
THE CABIN OF THE NAMUR
Both huge black hands grasped the spokes, and it was evident that it required all his giant strength to control the bucking wheel. He was an ugly-looking brute, the lower portion of his face apelike, and the wool growing so low as to leave him scarcely an inch of forehead. His eyes lifted an instant from the binnacle card to glance at me curiously. They exhibited no flash of recognition. With sudden relief, and a determination to thoroughly assure myself, I stepped forward and accosted him.
"Little heavy for one man, isn't it?"
"Oh, Ah don't mind, boss," his thick lips grinning. "Ah's bin alone worse tricks den dis."