American Boys Afloat by Oliver Optic

About half-past eleven all the ship's company were on board of the Maud, and Louis was engaged in showing the cabin party of the ship over the little steamer. They found that Pitts had put everything in order in the galley, which is the kitchen, though the same name is also applied to the stove. He had made a fire, and washed all the dishes, proving that he was inclined to be neat and nice. The provisions as well as the water-casks had been stowed away in the run, from which a scuttle opened in the floor of the standing-room.

The ladies approved the housekeeping of the cook, and were conducted to the engine-room, where the new hand was presented to them, for they all knew Felipe, and had done a great deal for him. Then they went to the cabin, where Felix had slept an hour, and was no longer sleepy. He had made up the four beds on the divans, all with sheets and pillows, for Mrs. Belgrave and Mrs. Woolridge had insisted that their sons should go to bed regularly and in due form, and not merely lie down on the sofa.

The ladies were satisfied with the accommodations, and the surgeon approved the ventilation and sanitary arrangements. While the cabin party of the ship were inspecting the Maud, Captain Ringgold went to the pilot-house with Scott. The shelf the carpenter had made and put up that evening had been dropped into position, and part of the chart of the Mediterranean placed upon it. There were two of them to cover this sea, and each of them was four feet and a half long by three and a half wide; and by the advice of the captain Scott had cut each of them in halves, and he had recommended him to cut out the small plans of thirty ports and harbors so that they could be used conveniently, at his leisure.

"Now, Captain Scott, show me how you are going to navigate your steamer," said the commander, as he placed himself at the table; and the room was well lighted for the occasion.

"I shall take my departure from Europa Point," replied Scott, putting the point of his pencil upon it. "My first run will be to Alboran Light, distance 130.22 nautical miles."

"Very well, indeed, Captain Scott," laughed the commander. "The coon evidently came down when you made your figures."

"The course will be east by south, with 18° 40′ variation of the compass to the westward. From Alboran Light to a point ten miles north of Algiers the course will be east a quarter south, distance 344.16 miles. That is as far as I have worked it up, sir."

"That is far enough for the present; but if I do not overhaul you in the Guardian-Mother before that time, you will work around Cape Bon, and make for Valetta, Malta, going to the south of the island, taking a pilot off Marsa if you find one. You must watch the weather, and if it comes on to blow a heavy gale, you will make a port if necessary."

"I don't think it will be necessary, sir, for I am sure the Maud is a good sea-boat, and she can stand anything we are likely to get at this season of the year. She can take in no water except in the standing-room, and that will not hold enough to do us any harm. I should be willing to cross the Atlantic in her in the winter, so far as her safety is concerned, though it would not be very comfortable on board of her."

"Young men are usually over-confident. I counsel you to be very prudent, Captain Scott."

"I am always so in a boat, sir," protested the young navigator.

"Louis has a level head, and I advise you to consult him in any emergency that may arise."

"I shall certainly do so, Captain Ringgold, without any urging."

"Very well; but it is time now for you to get under way," added the commander, as he glanced at his watch. "Good-by, and a pleasant voyage to you, Captain Scott; " and the captain took his hand at parting.

Louis's mother embraced him, and Mrs. Woolridge pressed her boy to her heart, and there was a general shaking of hands, though the captain was confident, if he was not delayed in Gibraltar, that he should overhaul the Maud some time the next day. No whistles were blown, for it was desirable to get away as quietly as possible so as not to attract the attention of those on board of the Fatimé.

Captain Scott had spoken to Louis and Morris about the division of the crew into watches; and both of them were entirely satisfied with the arrangement, as they were with everything else that had been done on board. In a few minutes the Maud rounded Europa Point, and the captain gave out the course, east by south. The starboard watch were now on duty, and Felix was at the wheel. All the lights on board had been extinguished, for it was not advisable to attract the attention of the watch on board of the Pacha's steamer by them.

"We begin with the mid watch, from midnight till four in the morning," said the captain on the forecastle. "You are the mate, Morris; and you have charge of the port watch, which consists of yourself and Louis. I recommend you both to turn in at once, for sailors must take their sleep when they can get it."

"That will suit me exactly, for I was beginning to get sleepy as we came out from the Mole; but it was because I had nothing to do," replied Louis.

"I had Flix make up the beds in the cabin, and as you are the port watch, you will take the two beds on that side," added the captain.

"By the way, Captain Scott, where will Pitts berth? " asked Louis.