Abandon the _Mare Nostrum_, the best of all the ships on which he had ever sailed!...

He accused himself of cowardice, believing that it was he who had impelled the captain to reach this decision.

What were the two going to do on land when the steamer was the property of others ?...

Would he not have to sail on an inferior boat, running the same risks ?...

He decided to undo his work, and was about to counsel Ferragut again, declaring that his ideas were mere conjecture and that he must continue living as he was at present, when the captain gave the order for departure.