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Updated: June 11, 2025
The first shots the Fatimé had fired at the Maud, though they had fallen far short of the mark, were mentioned so as to give them their full effect; and Captain Ringgold declared that they were a sufficient declaration of war. "Only one avenue of escape was open to me," continued Captain Scott, "and that was directly across the bow of the enemy.
He sent Pitts to the galley to report on the effect of the shot there. "And a quarter seven!" reported Felix. This was the first mark on the chart outside of the shoal line from one to two miles from the shore. The captain now turned his attention to the condition of the Fatimé. Louis had gone into the pilot-house to receive any orders the commander had to give him.
"That is our position. The Fatimé lies in deep water at least a mile from us. She is a steamer of four hundred tons, and she must draw at least fifteen feet of water; for both of these steamers were built where they put them down deeper in the water than they do in our country.
Why, the water is pouring into that hole in her side as through a mill-sluice!" exclaimed Louis. "But they are lowering their boats; and it remains to be seen what they intend to do with them." All the hands on board of the Fatimé appeared to be Moors, for they were all dressed in Oriental costume. By this time she was letting off steam with a tremendous racket.
It was clear that he saw something in the distance, which was hardly more than a speck on the ocean; but there was also a thread of black smoke on the sky above it, for it had cleared off since sunrise. Of course it was a steamer; but whether it was the Fatimé or the Guardian-Mother, or neither of them, he could not determine, and he did not wish to disturb the captain for nothing.
Now, Captain Scott, I have nothing more to say from this boat, and the next time I speak it will be with twelve-pounders; and my last word is that the Fatimé will not go out of this bay till she leaves with Mr. Belgrave on board of her." "Adieu!" shouted Scott in mocking tones. "Do you suppose the villain spoke the truth, Captain?" asked Louis.
"He is a Moor, and must be as revengeful as his 'noble master, as he calls him. It was the Maud that did his business for him, and I was at the wheel of her when she smashed into the side of the Fatimé. I only hope his grudge is against me and not against Louis Belgrave." "You mention the idea I had in my mind when I asked why he went on board of the Maud, Captain Scott," said the commander.
Oh, how much better I understand now what a mother must feel at the loss of a child." Ashmed's face brightened as he heard these words. "How thankful I am that you are so minded," said he. "I feel just as you do, and I wish to discuss the matter fully with you." Fatime was ready with plans at once. "You have," said she, "often spoken of taking a trip to Italy and making your residence there.
"I vouch for the truth of the statement, Captain, if my word is good for anything," Felix followed. "I give my testimony in the same direction," Morris put in. "Of course I do not doubt the truth of your statement," replied the commander. "But it looks like an amazing fact that the little Maud was able to do so much mischief to a steamer of the size of the Fatimé.
There was nothing to do except to observe the Fatimé; but she did nothing, and there was no appearance of any movement on her deck. "I think we had better attend to that lesson now, as we have nothing else to do," said the captain after they had looked about them for a time. "I don't care to have the pirate suppose we are on the anxious seat."
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