The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1899-05-19

CHAPTER XIX.-(Continued.)
1t was about a fortnight after they
had left the Falkland islands that they
entered the straits. At first they had
a leading wind which carried them
half through, but this did not last, and
they then had to contend not only
against the wind, but against the cur
rent, and they daily lost ground. The
crews of the ships also began to sicken
from fatigue and cold. Whether the
admiral had before made up his mind,
or whether irritated by his fruitless
~endeavors to continue his voyage, it is
impossible to say; but after three
weeks useless struggle against the
winds and currents, he hove to and
ordered all the captains on board, when
he proposed that the prisoner should
receive his punishment, and that pun
ishment was-to be deserted-that is,
to be sent on shore with a days food,
where there was no means of obtain
ing support, SO as to die miserably OF
hunger. This was a punishment fire.
quently resorted to by the Dutch OF
that period, as will be seen by reading
an account Of their voyage; but at the
same time seldom, if ever, awarded to
one of so high a rank az that OF com
modore.
Philip Immediately protested against
it, and so did Krantz, although they
were both aware that by so doing they
would make the admiral their enemy;
but the other captains, who viewed
both of them with a jealous eye, and
considered them as interlopers and in
terfering with their advancement,
sided with the admiral. NotWith-
standing this majority, Philip thought
it his duty to e~xpostulate.
you know well. admiral" said he,
'that 1 joined in his condemnation for
a breach Of discipline; but at the same
time there was much in e~xtenuation.
He committed a breach Of discipline
to save his ships company, but not an
error in judgment, as you yourself
proved, by taking the same measure to
save your own men. Do not, there
fore, visit an offense of so doubtful a
nature with such cruelty. Let the
company decide the point when you
send him home, which o can do as
soon as you arrive in India. He is
sufficiently punished by losing his COM
mand; to do what you propose will be
ascribed to feelings Of revenge more
than to those Of justice. What sue
cess can we deserve if we commit an
act of such cruelty? and how can we
expect a merciful Providence to pro-
tect us from the winds and waves,
when we are thus barbarous toward
each other?"
Philips arguments were of no avail.
The admiral ordered him to return on
board his ship, and had he been able
to find an excuse, he would have de-
prived him of his command. This he
could not we'll do; but Philip was
aware that the admiral was now his
inyeterate enemy. The commodore was
taken out of irons and brought into
the cabin, and his sentence was made
known to him.
"Be it so, admiral" replied Aven-
horn; "for to attempt tc turn you from
your purpose l know would be unayail-
ing. l am not punished for disobed-
fence of orders, but for having, by my
disobedience, pointed out to you your
duty-a duty which you were forced
to perform afterward by necessity.
Then be it so; let me perish On these
black rocks, as l shall, and my bones
be whitened by the chilly blasts which
howl over their desolation. But mark
me, cruel and vindictive man! l shall
not be the only one whose bones will
bleach there. 1 prophesy that many
others will share my fate, and even
you, admiral, may be of the number
if I mistake not, we shall lie side by
side"
The admiral made 10 reply, but
gave a sign for the prisoner to be re-
moved. He then had a conference
with the captains of the three smaller
vessels; and as they had been all along
retarded by the heavier sailing of his
own ship, and the bort commanded by
phiiip. he decided that they should
mart company, and proceed on as fast
as they could to the understanding
nm board of the two larger vessels all
the provisions they could spare, as
they already began to run short.
Philip had left the cabin with
Krantz after the prisoner had been re-
moved. He then wrote a few lines
upon a slip of paper: do not leave the
beach when you are put on shore, un-
til the vessels are out of sight," and
requesting Krantz to find an opportun-
;tv to deliver this to the commodore,
he returned on board CT his W ship.
When the crew Of the bort heard OF
the punishment about to be inflicted
upon their old commander, they were
much excited. They felt that he had
sacrificed himself to save them, and
they murmured much at the cruelty OF
the admiral.
About an hour after Philips re-
turn to his ship, the prisoner was sen
nm shore and landed on. the desolate
and rocky coast, with a supply of pro-
visions for two days. Not a single ar
ticle of extra clothing or the means
re striking a light was permitted him
~ hoot,c FOOL praypd the beach