The opportunity for which the boatmen had probably been watching appeared to have come when Louis turned his attention to the movement of the Milesian, for at that moment Gray sprang over the rail of the yacht to the deck, with the painter in his hand. There was a movement of his companions in the boat to follow him; but the English-speaking member of the band interposed, and prevented them from doing so. "We will try gentle measures first," said he, as Louis interpreted his Spanish; and he spoke it very fluently, if not as correctly as Louis had been taught by his learned professor. "If Captain Chickworth is not on board of the steamer, who is in command of her?" demanded Gray, as he made fast the painter of the boat at the rail. "I am in command of her," replied Louis; and the situation seemed to call upon him to act without any election or appointment to the leadership of his party. "Do you happen to have any name?" inquired Gray. "My name is Belgrave, at your service." "Then I suppose you hail from Belgravia in London." "No, sir; I hail from Von Blonk Park." "Then you speak English very well for a Dutchman. I never heard of the place you come from; but it is all the same," continued Gray, evidently proceeding to use the gentle measures of which he had spoken. "The Dutch are a very thrifty and money-making people." "They are, like the Scotch, of whom you are one, I should judge, though you have but little of the dialect in your speech, and you speak English very well indeed, to return your compliment," replied Louis, seeing that Felix and Morris were keeping a close watch over the Spaniards in the boat. If Gray wished to use gentle measures, the self-appointed commander of the Salihé was willing to meet him half-way, and was not disposed to resort to violence as long as it could be avoided, or even to harshness of speech. "I am a Scotchman, and I am proud of my country," added Gray. "You are a Dutchman, though you speak English perfectly. I suppose you are ready, as Scotchmen and Dutchmen always are, to make a little money." "I cannot say that I am," replied Louis rather coldly. "Then you are a very odd Dutchman." "And you are a very odd Scotchman." "I dare say I am; but I do not see in what particular I am odd at the present moment." "Why, you propose to give me a chance to make some money instead of making it yourself, which is not at all like a Scotchman." "_Quiere V. atropellar?_" (Will you hurry up?) shouted the Spaniard in the stern of the boat angrily. "My friend is impatient," added Gray. "I see he is." "Do you speak Spanish?" demanded the Scotchman, evidently startled at the suggestion of Louis's reply. "I do not just now; but if your friend is impatient, I will not detain him or you a single moment more, and you can return to your boat at once."