American Boys Afloat by Oliver Optic

The Fatimé came to anchor just inside of the New Mole, not more than three cable lengths distant from the Guardian-Mother. When Louis first saw her off the castle at Tangier, he concluded that the Pacha had business at that port. When seen three months before, he declared that he held no official position under the government; but this might have been, even while he was one of the most influential men of his country.

If His Highness had business on the Mediterranean, especially at Tangier, which was a Moroccan port, it could not have been very pressing, or he would not have been at liberty to follow the Maud. Now he seemed to have a roving commission to go where and when he pleased. As the voyagers had learned at Funchal, he was a lawless character; and this information had been fully confirmed by Felipe, who had observed his outgoings and his incomings as engineer of the little steamer.

After Mr. Boulong had taken possession of the Maud and his men had been stationed on board of her, Felipe, who had been obliged to remain in charge of the engine when the rest of the ship's company left, was in a very disturbed state of mind. From the starboard door of his apartment he had seen the Fatimé when she rounded the end of the New Mole and came to anchor. He was absolutely terrified at the sight of her, for he knew that the Pacha was on board. But he had not been told that the distinguished Moor claimed to own the Maud, and had recognized Scott on board of her, for Louis thought this information would needlessly alarm him.

Captain Ringgold descended the gangway steps and went into the cabin of the Maud, in order that he might be close at hand to direct any movement that might become necessary. The commander had hardly seated himself before Felipe, who had seen him when he came on board, presented himself before him.

"He take me! " exclaimed the young Spaniard, pointing in the direction of the anchorage of the Pacha's steamer; and his limbs actually shook with terror.

"No, he will not take you, Felipe; he will not take anybody," replied the captain in a mild tone.

"I run away with the Salihé, and he have the law," added the engineer.

"He may cause you to be arrested; but if he does, I will see that you are properly defended," replied the commander, who realized that the young man was technically guilty of stealing the little steamer, though she had been returned to the owner.

"No matter if you did run away with the Salihé; the Pacha abused you, and you were justified in leaving him in any way you could. My feet would not keep still if my body was abused," said Captain Ringgold, though he realized that the case presented some difficulties.

Felipe did not understand the speaker, for his language was above the comprehension of the Spaniard. The first sentence he had uttered, that the engineer should not be taken, was plain enough to him, and that was really all he had been able to make out; but he was satisfied with this, and thanked the captain.

"Have you drawn the fires, Felipe? " asked the commander.

"Not yet," replied the engineer, who was better posted on the technicalities of the machinery than in ordinary matters. "I was to draw the fires when I see you come down."

"Bank them, and keep the steam up."

This was also understood, and the engineer hastened back to the machine, willing to leave his case with the commander, who, he thought, was a bigger man than Ali-Noury Pacha.

"Shore boat alongside, sir, containing a half-drowned Turk," reported Mr. Boulong at the cabin door.

"A Turk! " exclaimed the captain.

"Perhaps I should have said a Moor; but he looks more like a turkey-buzzard just now," the first officer explained. "I rather think he comes from the Pacha's steamer. He wants to come on board."

"I will go out and look at him," replied the captain, as he followed Mr. Boulong out of the cabin and to the gangway of the Maud, which was on the quarter. "We have no interpreter if the fellow is a Moor."

"None is needed, for the man speaks English as well as I do," replied the officer. "He wears the uniform of a Moor; but I don't believe he is one."

The man in the shore boat stood up in the stern-sheets. He wore the Moorish costume; but his garments were soaked with water, and hung to him like a Monday morning wash on the clothes-line. His clothes certainly needed washing, for they were be-grimed with oil and coal dust. He was not regarded as dangerous, and he was permitted to come on deck.