Then, as if an idea had struck him, he continued:
"I wonder if our good friend, the captain, here, would permit us to have some pistol practice. There would be no danger, believe me, if we shoot over the stern."
Max understood what was in his mind. Though he had pretended to do so, the other had not forgotten the incident of the cards, and now he was going to give him, in case he should be inclined to spread the report abroad, an exhibition of his powers with the pistol. It was a hint delicately administered.
"I don't know that I ought to allow it," said the captain doubtfully; "but seeing that we have no ladies aboard, and that you promise to fire over the stern, we will risk it. Don't shoot each other, and don't keep it up too long, that's all I ask."
Moreas gave his promise and immediately disappeared below, to appear a few moments later, carrying in his hand a revolver, a piece of string, and a dozen medium-sized apples. Reaching the deck, he made one of the apples fast by the string to the wire rope that carried the awning. When this was done it hung midway between the awning and the taffrail, and afforded an excellent target.
"Have you done much shooting with the revolver?" Moreas inquired of Max, as he returned from placing the fruit in position.
"In that case shall we say thirty paces?"
The distance was accordingly measured, and a chalk line drawn upon the deck.
"Shall we bet on the shot," remarked Moreas, taking a box of cartridges from his pocket and carefully filling the chambers of the revolver.
"Why not?" answered Max, still with the same imperturbability. "What shall it be? Name the sum."
"Let it be whatever you please," returned his polite adversary. "Since we are loaded with English gold shall we say half a sovereign?"
"Half a sovereign will suit me admirably," the other replied. "Perhaps you will commence?"
Nothing loath, Moreas toed the line, and, when he had examined the revolver to make sure that it was in working order, fired. The bullet hit the apple dividing it as neatly as if it had been cut with a knife.
"Bravo!" said Max. "I owe you half a sovereign."
The Spaniard handed him the revolver, and he, in his turn, took his place at the line. As boys, Max and I had been keen pistol shots, and I was quite prepared when I reached this part of his narrative to find that he had imitated Moreas' example and destroyed the target. To my surprise, however, he chronicled a miss.