The carver had the letters of the right size, all gilded and ready to put on the signs. He was obliging enough to do the work while Louis waited, and in a short time he returned to the steamer with the signs under his arm. They were put in their places at once, and the ship's company bestowed a great deal of admiration upon them. The Maud got under way, and in a few minutes she was approaching the Guardian-Mother. The regularly elected pilot was at the wheel, and the others were on the forecastle. Captain Scott called for three cheers when he discovered the cabin party seated under the awning. This called the company to the side; for they suspected that the big four were up to some mischief, the commander having informed them of the purchase of the little steamer, and that her future ship's company had been engaged in organizing to handle her. The gentlemen returned the cheers without knowing what they meant, and the ladies waved their handkerchiefs very vigorously. As the steamer came a little nearer, Uncle Moses was the first to notice the new name which had been put up over the windows of the pilot-house. He spelled out the word and pointed to the name. "My name!" exclaimed Mrs. Belgrave. "Well, I am more delighted to see it there than I was when I saw it on that steamer which lies near us." "It is a capital name for the craft, and it means something now--that your son is always thinking of you, madam." "What is the next conspiracy of the big four?" asked the commander as the crew of the Maud came on board. "We want to go over to Tangier this afternoon," replied Louis, as soon as the new name had been discussed and approved. The application was duly considered, and, no objection being made, permission for the excursion was granted. CHAPTER XVIII AN AFTERNOON EXCURSION TO TANGIER Louis had applied for permission to make the excursion to Tangier on his own account, though he knew it would be exceedingly agreeable to the other members of the ship's company, for it would give them practice in their duties. He had spoken to the commander about the engineer; and he had promptly consented to ship another oiler, for it was enough for Felipe to run the engine of the Maud and take proper care of it, as it was a very nice piece of machinery. At the same time he added fifty per cent to the wages of this officer. He had ordered Mr. Sage to provide a suitable lunch for the steamer; for it was thirty miles to Tangier, and it would require at least seven hours for the Maud to go there and return, and the excursionists would get hungry before they came back. "But why can't we go with them, Captain Ringgold?" asked Mrs. Belgrave. "It will certainly be a very pleasant trip, and there must be something there to see."