"No, my captain."
Before the glance of astonishment which Ulysses flashed upon him, he found it necessary to explain himself.
"What am I ever going to do ashore?… Who is expecting me there?… Or what business with my family would have any interest for me?…"
Ferragut seemed to be hearing an echo of his own thoughts. He, like the cook, would have nothing to do on land…. He was mortally bored when far from the sea, just as in those months when, still young, he had believed that he could create for himself a new profession in Barcelona. Besides, it was impossible to return to his home, taking up life again with his wife; it would be simply losing his last illusions. It would be better to view from afar all that remained of his former existence.
Caragol, meanwhile, was going on talking. His nephews would not remember the poor old cook and he had no reason to trouble himself about their fate, making them rich. He would prefer to remain just where he was, without money but happy.
"Let the others go!" he said with childish selfishness. "Let Toni go!… I'm going to stay…. I've got to stay. When the captain goes, then Uncle Caragol will go."
Ulysses enumerated the great dangers that the boat was about to face. The German submarines were lying in wait for it with deadly determination; there would be combats … they would be torpedoed….
The old man's smile showed contempt of all such dangers. He was certain that nothing bad could possibly happen to the Mare Nostrum. The furies of the sea were unavailing against it and still less could the wickedness of man injure it.
"I know what I'm talking about, Captain…. I am sure that we shall come out safe and sound from all dangers."
He thought of his miracle-working amulets, of his sacred pictures, of the supernatural protection that his pious prayers were bringing him. Furthermore, he was taking into consideration the Latin name of the ship which had always inspired him with religious respect. It belonged to the language used by the Church, to the idiom which brought about miracles and expelled the devil, making him run away aghast.