The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1899-04-07
XI.

Tor the Batavia was chartered TO con-
vey a large detachment Of troops to
Ceylon and Java, and for the purpose
of recruiting and strengthening the
company's forces at those places. She
was to quit the feet off Madagascar,
and run direct for the island of Java,
the number of soldiers on board be-
ing presumed sufficient to insure the
ship against any attack or accidents
from pirates or enemies cruisers. The
Batavia, moreover, mounted thirty
guns, and had a crew of seventy-hve
men. Besides military stores, which
formed the principal part of her cargo,
she had on board a large quantity OF
specie for the Indian market. The de-
tachment of soldiers was embarking
when Philip went on board, and in a
few minutes were SO crowded that II
was hardly possible to move. Philip,
who had not yet spoken to the captain,
found out the first mate, and imme-
diately entered upon his duty, with
which, from his close application to it
during his former voyage and passage
home, he was much better acquainted
than might have been imagined.
In a short time all traces of hurry
and confusion began to disappear, the
baggage of the troops was stored away,
and the soldiers, having been told Off
in parties, and stationed with their
messing utensils between the guns of
the main deck, room was thus afforded
for working the ship. Philip showed
great activity as well as method in
the arrangements proposed, and the
captain, during a pause in his own ar
duous duties, said to him:
. Il thought you were taking it very
easy, Mr.. Vanderdecken, in not joining
the ship before, but, now you are on
board, you are making up for lost
time. You have done more during the
forenoon than l could have expected
am glad that you are come, though
very sorry you were not here when
we were storing the hold, which, | am
afraid. is not arranged quite as well
as it might be. Mynheer Struys, the
first mate, has had more to do than
he could well give attention to-"
Il am sorry that 1 should not have
been here, sir" replied Philip; "but
l came as soon as the company sent
me word"
Eyes, and as they know that you are
s married man, and do not forget that
you are a great shareholder, they
would not trouble you too soon. l pre-
sumo you will have the command OF
a vessel next voyage. In fact, you are
certain of it, with the capital you have
invested in their funds. I had a con-
versation with one of the senior &C
countants on the subject this very
morning"
Philip was not very sorry that his
money had been put out to such good
interest, as to be the captain Of a
ship was what he earnestly desired.
He replied that che certainly did hope
TO command a ship after the next voy-
age. when he trusted that he should
feel himself quite competent to the
charge"
1t was not until a week after Philip
arrived on board that the Batavia and
the remainder of the feet were ready
for sea.
II would be difficult to analyZe the
feelings of Philip Vanderdecken on his
second embarkation. His mind was
so continually directed to the object
of his voyage that, although he attend
ed to his religious duties, yet the bust
ness of life passed before him as a
dream. A few days after he had sailed
he bitterly repented that he had not
stated the whole of his circumstances
to Father Seysen, and taken his advice
upon the propriety of following up his
search; but it was now too late; al
ready was the good ship Batavia more
than a thousand miles from the port
of Amsterdam, and his duty, whatever
it might be, must be fulfilled.
AS the fleet approached the Cape, his
anxiety increased to such a degree that
if was remarked by all who were on
hoard. The captain and officers com
handing the troops embarked, who all
felt interested in him, vainly attempt
ed IN learn the cause of his anxiety.
philip would plead ill-health; and his
baegard c~ountenance and sunken eyes
silently proved that he was under
acute suffering. The major part of the
night he passed on deck, straining his
eves in every quarter, and watching
each change in the horizon, in antici-
nation of the appearance of the Phan-
tom Ship; and it was not till the day
dawned that he sought a p%erturbed re-
nose in his cabin. After a favorable
massage the feet anchored to refresh
at Table Bay, and Philip felt some
small relief, that up to the present
time the supernatural visitation had
not again occurred.
AS soon as the feet had watered they
again made sail, and again Philips
agitation became perceptible. With a
favoring breeze, however, they round
cd the Cape, passed by Madagascar,
and arrived in the Indian Seas, when
the Batavia parted company with the
rest of the fleet, which steered to Cam
broom and Ceylon. "And now" thought
philip, "Will the Phantom Ship make
t. L1r or1u ryo;fnd