But he had no idea that the person he addressed was the one who had run away from the home of the Pacha with the steamer; and Louis did not deem it wise to enlighten him in this particular. "_Esta aqui el Pacha?_" (Is the Pacha here?) asked Felipe of the skipper. "_No esta aqui_" (He is not here), replied Chickworth. "Now, Mr. Belgrave, I suppose you are in no 'urry, and per'aps you would not mind setting me and my hengineer on shore by the Ragged Staff," he continued, turning to Louis. "In no hurry at all, and we had as lief go to the Ragged Staff, whatever that may be, as anywhere else. Run for the shore at any place you please. By the way, Mr. Chairman, where shall we leave the Salihé when we return?" "Just make 'er fast by the gangway of your ship, and I will come on board to-morrow morning," replied the skipper, as he rang the bell to go ahead. Scott stood at the door and asked some questions about the navigation of the bay; but Chickworth seemed to have no doubt that the temporary pilot would be able to keep the steamer on the top of the water. It was a run of only half a mile to the stairs where the skipper wished to land, and a few minutes later he was set ashore there. He stood at the head of the steps observing the Salihé as she headed up the bay, and seemed to be informing himself whether or not her new crew knew how to manage her. Of course Felipe was entirely at home in the engine-room, for he had served there in the employ of the Pacha, as well as on the broad ocean when all his present shipmates were with him. Scott was a skilful wheelman, and had steered the craft on the voyage from Madeira. No commander had been chosen for the present trip, but Louis fell naturally into this position without any appointment, for his ability invariably made him the leader in all enterprises in which the big four engaged. In fact, he had a talent for commanding as well as for obeying; and the latter sometimes requires more talent than the former. But he was modest and did not make himself offensive by an overbearing manner. The Salihé was abreast of the town of Gibraltar after she left the landing stairs, where there is a fixed light, showing green, which Scott noted as his guide for the return run. Four miles from it to the westward was a light on Verde Island, near the city of Algeciras, visible nine miles; and between the two the helmsman was not likely to get lost, unless a dense fog should shut them out from his view, of which there was no immediate prospect. "It is about time to give the pilot some instructions in regard to the course," said Scott, addressing Louis, who stood on the forecastle with Felix. "It won't take long to use up this bay, which don't pan out more than five miles in any direction."