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. "Stevens has put up a berth for him against the bulkhead in the forecastle, and he has gone to bed as comfortably as though he had been in his father's house." Louis and Morris went aft and turned in, and they were soon asleep. In one hour from his point of departure Captain Scott took the bearings of Estapona Light, and found that the Maud had made just ten miles. This was the rate he had instructed Felipe, who occupied the nominal position of chief engineer, to make. All was going on very well. While the Maud is pursuing her course towards the Orient it becomes necessary to return to the Guardian-Mother. The cabin party had watched the little steamer as she sailed away, and the commander was not alone in wondering into what adventure the big four would fall this time. The boys seemed to be unable to make an excursion of any kind without having some mishap overtake them. A few months before Mrs. Belgrave would not willingly have permitted her son to leave her under such circumstances as those in which he had just sailed away in the Maud; but Dr. Hawkes appeared to have cured her of her nervousness, and on all questions she was as reasonable as could be expected of any devoted mother.