at it will make quite a thrilling narrative. About two o'clock
to-morrow afternoon I expect the Guardian-Mother and the Maud will be at
Port Said, at the entrance to the Suez Canal."

The mothers hugged their boys again even for the separation of eighteen
hours, and the hands of the others were duly shaken. Mrs. Blossom did
not attempt to hug the Milesian this time.

"What has happened here, Felix?" she asked in a low tone; for the good
lady would have been glad to get at the solution of the mystery, in
order that she might give a hint of it to the others.

"Captain Ringgold will tell you all about it; it would take me six hours
to do so, and I have not the time," replied Felix as he bolted through
the door.

"Six hours!" exclaimed the amiable lady. "Then we shall have to sit up
about all night to hear the story. I wonder what the boys have been
doing in this lonely place."

She was no wiser than the rest of the party. The two sons tore
themselves away from their mothers, and Louis was permitted to take the
hand of Miss Blanche in bidding her adieu. The commander had sent four
of the old sailors on board of the little steamer to stand the watches
during the trip; for the "Big Four" were believed to be thoroughly
exhausted after a night in the gale and the most exciting day of all
their lives. This was certainly true of Captain Scott, for he had hardly
slept a wink in the last thirty-six hours, and the others were tired
enough.

The chief engineer had been notified of the immediate departure of the
Maud, and the fasts were cast off as soon as the ship's company went on
board. Stevens, the carpenter of the ship, had repaired the damage done
in the galley, and a supply of provisions had been put on board.

Captain Scott had submitted the question as to whether anything was to
be done in regard to the ship's company of the Fatime. The matter had
been decided at once. Captain Mazagan had declared war against the
Maud, and had proceeded to enforce his preposterous demand. He had made
a failure of it, and outside of the call of ordinary humanity, the
commander believed that it was not his duty to look out for the comfort
of the marauders. A sufficient supply of provisions had been sent to
those on shore, and the pirate himself was under treatment on board of
the ship. What was to be done with him was a question for the future.

Captain Scott remained in the pilot-house of the Maud till the steamer
was well off the cap