"Will ye settle a slight dispute for us, Don Diego?" said he lightly.
"We are arguing, Mr. Pitt and I, as to which is the North Star."
"So?" The Spaniard's tone was easy; there was almost a suggestion
that laughter lurked behind it, and the reason for this was yielded
by his next sentence. "But you tell me Mr. Pitt he is your navigant?"
"For lack of a better," laughed the Captain, good-humouredly
contemptuous. "Now I am ready to wager him a hundred pieces of eight
that that is the North Star." And he flung out an arm towards a
point of light in the heavens straight abeam. He afterwards told
Pitt that had Don Diego confirmed him, he would have run him through
upon that instant. Far from that, however, the Spaniard freely
expressed his scorn.
"You have the assurance that is of ignorance, Don Pedro; and you lose.
The North Star is this one." And he indicated it.
"You are sure?"
"But my dear Don Pedro!" The Spaniard's tone was one of amused
protest. "But is it possible that I mistake? Besides, is there
not the compass? Come to the binnacle and see there what course we
make.
Pages:
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214