“You are referring to the submarines, Toni, to the little submarines that were in existence at the beginning of the war—­little grasshoppers of fragile steel that moved with great difficulty when on a level with the water and might be overwhelmed at the slightest shock....  But to-day there is something more:  there is a submersible that is like a submarine protected by a ship’s hull which is able to go hidden between the two waters and, at the same time, can navigate over the surface better than a torpedo-boat....  You have no idea what these Germans are capable of!  They are a great nation, the finest in the world!...”

And with impulsive exaggeration, he insisted in proclaiming German greatness and its inventive spirit as though he had some share in this mechanical and destructive glory.

Then he added confidentially, placing his hand on Toni’s arm: 

“I’m going to tell it only to you:  you are the only person who knows the secret, aside from those who have told it to me....  The German submersibles are going to enter the Mediterranean.  We are going to meet them in order to renew their supplies of oil and combustibles.”

He became silent, looking fixedly at his subordinate, and smiling in order to conquer his scruples.

For two seconds he did not know what to expect.  Toni was remaining pensive with downcast eyes.  Then, little by little, he drew himself erect, abandoned his seat, and said simply: 

“No!”

Ulysses also left his revolving chair with the impulsiveness of surprise.  “No?...  And why not?”

He was the captain and they all ought to obey him.  For that reason he was responsible for the boat, for the life of its crew, for the fate of the cargo.  Besides, he was the proprietor; no one exceeded him in command; his power was unlimited.  Through friendly affection and custom, he had consulted his mate, making him share in his secrets and here Toni, with an ingratitude never seen before, was daring to rebel....  What did this mean?...

But the mate, instead of giving any explanation, merely confined himself to answering, each time more obstinately and wrathfully: 

“No!...  No!”

“But why not?” insisted Ferragut, waxing impatient and in a voice trembling with anger.

Toni, without losing energy in his negatives, was hesitating,—­confused, bewildered, scratching his beard, and lowering his eyes in order to reflect better.

He did not know just how to explain himself.  He envied his captain’s facility in finding just the right word.  The simplest of his ideas suffered terribly before coming anxiously from his mouth....  But, finally, little by little, between his stutterings, he managed to express his hatred of those monsters of modern industry which were dishonoring the sea with their crimes.