"I think we shall do something more than that," replied Louis significantly. "At any rate, we shall want our own engineer; and I will see that he is better paid than as an oiler, a 'greaser' as they are sometimes called. Felipe is a good fellow, and I take an interest in him." "Bekase he can shpake Shpanish!" mildly taunted Felix. "Faix I could shpake it mesel' if me modther had only larned it me whin I was a babby, loike Philip's modther did him. But, boy the powers of mud, I belayve you fellers mane to make an indepindint cruise in the Orient, and go Columbusing all over the ocean boy the way ye's talk!" "I hinted to Captain Ringgold that there was no need of hoisting the Maud on the deck of the ship, for we could go in her from one port to another. I suppose Captain Scott understands navigation." "I think I know something about it; for that is the one thing I have studied more than anything else, not only in school, but ever since," replied the new captain. "Professor Giroud is instructing me in the theory of it now, and I take the sun every day, and work up the observation. I know how to handle a sextant, and I can work out a lunar on a pinch." "Perhaps we shall get cast away on a desolate island in the Indian Ocean, and have a chance to do some Robinson Crusoeing," suggested Morris. "That is treason to Captain Scott," added Louis. "I believe I can do my Bowditching well enough not to bring that upon my ship's company," said the captain. This meeting was held in the cabin of the Maud, as they had all begun to call her. The next thing they did was to take down the sign upon which the former name of the yacht appeared in front of the pilot-house, and another to the same effect on the stern. While they were thus engaged, Captain Chickworth, who had been collecting his money and talking with the captain in his cabin, came on board. "You don't like the name," said he when he discovered what they were doing. "We have changed it already," answered Louis. "Which I was going to do myself," added the late owner. "The old one was not a Christian name, and I was going to call 'er the 'Transit.' I 'ad the two signs halmost ready to put on. Which there is a carver near the Ragged Stairs gate which 'e 'as the letters hall ready to put on the board." "Has he the four letters M-A-U-D on hand?" Chickworth was sure he had. Louis was delighted, and immediately offered to land the late owner at the Stairs, and have him go with him to the carver's. Felipe was in the engine-room, for he had just returned from landing the consul. Captain Ringgold was informed that they were going to put Chickworth on shore, and the Maud departed to obtain her new name.