American Boys Afloat by Oliver Optic

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."

"We are able to pay for her without any such assistance from you, and I must respectfully decline your munificent offer," answered Louis.

"Make it three pounds, though Chickworth would have charged me only two," persisted Gray.

"I must still decline."

"I am willing to say four pounds, though you are rather hard on me."

"Make it twenty pounds, and I shall decline it all the same. I am not in want of a job just now," replied Louis very firmly.

"But we must have the steamer, and I hope you will be reasonable, Captain Belgrave. If we proposed to turn you and your party out of the steamer, and take full possession of her, it would be quite another thing," argued Gray. "You can all remain on board of the steamer and enjoy the sail just the same. If you wish to retire to the cabin, we have some excellent wine on board of our vessel, and we will supply you with half a dozen bottles of it, which will help you to pass away the evening."

"Not one of our party drinks wine."

"We only ask you to tow the Golondrina down as far as Carnero Point, and we shall get a breeze of wind by that time."

"It is no use to talk, Mr. Gray. I will not tow the Golondrina down to Carnero Point on any terms you can name," said Louis, so decidedly that the Scotchman was evidently satisfied he could not accomplish his purpose.

"You are a very obstinate Dutchman! " exclaimed Gray, as he turned away from the acting captain, and blew a whistle which it was evident he had carried in his hand during the conversation.

When the boat swung around as the steamer went ahead, it was held by the painter abreast of the engine-room. Felix heard that whistle, and had been an attentive listener to the interview in front of the pilot-house. He had stationed himself at the rail near the point where the painter of the Spanish boat was made fast. He realized before the close of the conference that Gray "meant business," as he expressed himself. The instant he heard the whistle, he cast off the painter, which he had partly unloosed before. The boat began to slide aft, and Gray used some expletives which indicated that he was not in good standing in the Scottish Kirk.