nd rippled beneath the bows,
all else being wonderfully still as the boat glided on.

Yussuf lit his water-pipe, and the professor a cigar, to begin
conversing in a low tone, but always watchful of the slightest movement
of the men.

A couple of hours had glided away, and then, after being apparently fast
asleep, the skipper rose and came aft to speak eagerly to Yussuf, who
heard him out, and then turned to the professor.

"The captain says that there is no danger of wreck or storm; that he and
his men will watch over you as if you were given over to their safe
keeping, and all will be well."

"Tell the captain that I prefer to sit up and watch the sea and sky,"
replied the professor. "When I am tired I will lie down."

The skipper nodded and smiled, and went forward again, while, after some
minutes' silence, the professor said softly:

"You are quite right to be doubtful, Yussuf, I mistrust that man."

"Yes," replied Yussuf in the same tone, "the Greek dog will bite the
hand which fed him if he has a chance, but that chance, effendi, he must
not have."

The hours glided on, and some time, perhaps soon after midnight, the
skipper rose again from where he had lain apparently asleep, but really
watching the speakers attentively, and coming aft this time with one of
his men, the sailor at the helm was changed, and the other went forward
to throw himself down as if to sleep.

"Will not the effendi lie down and take his rest now?" said the skipper
to Yussuf. "The day will not be very long before it comes, and then it
is no longer time to sleep."

Yussuf quietly repeated the man's words to the professor, who replied
coldly:

"Tell the Greek captain that he is paid to convey us to our journey's
end, and that it is not for him to presume to interfere as to the way in
which we pass our time. Tell him we know the night from the day."

Yussuf interpreted the words, and the Greek smiled and replied in the
most humble manner that perhaps the English excellency did not know how
bad it was for strangers to expose themselves to the night air. That he
was anxious about them, and wished them to go into the little cabin to
be safe.

"Tell him to mind his own business," said the professor shortly, and
this being interpreted the man slunk forward, and the professor said
softly:

"There is no doubt about it, Yussuf; the man is a scoundrel and has bad
intentions."

"He is a pig," said the Muslim in a low voice full of