By nightfall the _Mare Nostrum_ was in front of Cape Palos and he had to sail in the outer waters in order to double it, leaving Cartagena in the distance.

From there, he turned his course to the southwest, to the cape where the Mediterranean was beginning to grow narrow, forming the funnel of the strait.

Soon they would pass before Almeria and Malaga, reaching Gibraltar the following day.
"Here is where the enemy is oftentimes waiting," said Ferragut to one of the officers.

"If we have no bad luck before night, we shall have safely concluded our voyage." The boat had withdrawn from the shore route, and it was no longer possible to distinguish the lower coast.

Only from the prow could be seen the jutting hump of the cape, rising up like an island.
Caragol appeared with a tray on which were smoking two cups of coffee.
He would not yield to any cabinboy the honor of serving the captain when on the bridge.
"Well, what do you think of the trip ?" asked Ferragut gayly, before drinking.