The mate only knew that this voyage to Brest was the last.

Who was going to be the new owner of the _Mare Nostrum_ ?...
One rainy evening, upon returning to the boat, Ulysses gave orders that they should hunt up the mate while he was shaking out his waterproof in the entry to the stateroom.
The roadstead was dark with its foamy waves, choppy and thick, leaping like sheep.

The men-of-war were sending out smoke from their triple chimneys ready to confront the bad weather with their steam engines.
The ship, anchored in the commercial port, was dancing restlessly, tugging at its hawsers, with a mournful croaking.

All the nearby boats were tossing in the same way, just as though they were out on the high seas.
Toni entered the saloon, and one look at the captain's face made him suspect that the moment for knowing the truth had arrived.

Avoiding his glance, Ulysses told him curtly, trying to evade by the conciseness of his language all signs of emotion.
He had sold the ship to the French:--a rapid and magnificent piece of business....