The Red Cloud chief., 1899-03-03
THE RED CLOUD CHIEF.

first mate; the second mate, Struye,
was a morose young man, with whom
he had little intercourse. AS for the
supercargo, Mynheer JueUS tan Ton
Stroom, he seldom ventured ous Of his
cabin. The bear, Johannes, was not
confined, and therefore Mynheer Won
Stroom confined himself: hardly a day
passed that he did not look over a
letter which he had framed upon the
subject, all ready to forward to the
company; and each time that he per-
used 1t, he made some alteration, which
he considered would give additional
force to his complaint. and would
prove still more injurious to the inter-
ests of Capt. Kloots.
In the meantime, in happy ignorance
OF all that was passing in tho poop
cabin, Mynheer Kloots smoked his
pipe. drank his %schnapps, and played
with Johannes. The animal had also
contracted a great affection for Philip,
and used to walk the watch with him.
There was another party in the ship
whom We must not lose sight of-the
onc-eyed pilot. Schriften, who appear
ed to have imbibed a great animosity
toward our hero, as well as to his
dumb favorite, the bear. As Philip
held the rank of an officer. Shriften
dared not openly a%ffront, though he
took every opportunity OF annoying
him, and was constantly inveighing
against him before the ships COM
pany. To the bear he was more open
ly inveterate, and seldom passed II
without bestowing upon It u severe
Kick, accompanied with a horrid curse.
Although no one on board appeared
to be fond of this man, everybody APP
peared to be afraid Of him, and he OBJ
tanned a control over the seamen
which appeared u~naccountablc.
Such was the state of affairs on board
the good ship Ter Schilling when, in
company with two others, she lay be-
Gained about two days sail to the
Cape. The weather was intensely hot,
for 1t was the summer in those south
ern ATTITUDES, and Philip, who had been
laying down under the awning spread
over the poop, was so overcome with
the heat that he had fallen asleep. He
awoke with a shivering sensation OF
cold over his whole body, particularly
at his chest, and half opening his eyes,
he perceived the pilot, Shriften, lean
ing over him and holding between his
finger and his thumb a portion OF the
chain which had not been concealed,
and to which was attached the sacred
relic. Philip closed them again, to
ascertain what were the mans inten-
tons; he found that he gradually
dragged out the chain, and, when the
relic was clear, attempted to pass the
whole over his head. evidently to gain
possession of it. Upon this attempt
Philip started up and seized him by
the waist.
Indeed" cried Philip, with an In.
dignant look, as he released the chain
from the pilots hand.
But Shriften appeared not In the
least confused at being detected In
his attempt; looking with his mali
cious one-eye at Philip, he mockingly
observed:
Does that chain hold her picture?--
he! he!"
Vanderdecken rose, pushed his away,
and folded his arms. al
Il advise you not to be quite so curl.
Gus, Master Pilot, or you may repent
it."
OR perhaps" continued the pilot,
quite regardless of Philips wrath, at
may be a child's caul, a sovereign rem.
edy against drowning"
go forward to your duty, sir" cried
Philip.
"Or, as you are a Catholic, the finger
nail of a saint; or, yes, I have tia
piece Of the holy cross"
Philip started.
That's II! that's IT." cried Schrlf.
ten, who now went forward to where
the seamen were standing at the gang.
way.
News for you, my lads!" said he;
we've a piece of the holy cross aboard,
and so we may defy the devil"
Ito be continued.)