American boys afloat : $b or, Cruising in the OrientOptic, Oliver
General
American boys afloat : $b or, Cruising in the Orient
Optic, Oliver
Voyages and travels -- Juvenile fiction
The surgeon was very attentive to her and so was Captain Ringgold.
Probably the general improvement of her health, produced by the voyage
under such pleasant conditions, did something to account for the cure
of her nervous malady. She retired as soon as the little steamer could
no longer be seen; and it was not to toss about all the night in
wakeful tremors at the absence of Louis, but she went to sleep at once
and did not wake till the first bell rang in the morning.
After breakfast the commander had business in the city; and, as some of
the party wished to make a few purchases, he went to the Ragged Staff
stairs in the barge, the entire party accompanying him. He allowed the
visitors but two hours, for he intended to get the Guardian-Mother
under way as soon as possible.
In its course to the stairs the barge had to pass near the Fatimé.
The eight oarsmen, all dressed in the neat uniform of the steamer,
presented a rather showy appearance, and she was observed with
attention by all who saw her. The party separated as soon as they
landed, or divided up into smaller groups, each of which had its own
errands.
During the absence of the big four the afternoon before, the commander
had made his preparations for receiving the Maud on the upper deck
of the ship. Skids to support her had been placed where the deck was
strengthened by the bulkheads, or partitions under it, and heavy
eye-bolts had been screwed to the planks, each over a timber, for the
stays to keep the craft in position.
He had employed a ship-smith to do most of the work, though the
carpenter's gang did the wood-work. The captain's first business was to
pay this smith, and when he had done so he went to the principal street
to purchase some additional charts and nautical instruments. He had
selected these articles, and had them sent down to the barge. His next
business was at the custom-house.
On the way Uncle Moses joined him, for he had no taste for other
people's shopping. They had walked but a short distance before they
encountered the Pacha, elegantly dressed in his Oriental robes, and
followed by four of his people. Every one in the street stopped to gaze
at them; for His Highness was a sight even in Gibraltar, where nearly
every nation seemed to be represented on its thoroughfares.
After the event of the preceding evening Captain Ringgold was sorry
to see him, though it was not in his nature to run away from any man.
Uncle Moses always carried a cane when he walked, and he noticed that
his companion had one, though he had never seen him use one before. The
squire suggested that they should step into a store they were passing,
but the commander declined to do so.
"Sir!" exclaimed the Pacha, halting in front of the captain, who
attempted to proceed on his way without noticing him. "Coward! You
shall not escape me! You have insulted me, and you refuse to meet me
like a gentleman!" added Ali-Noury, as he seized the commander by the
throat.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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