The Yale expositor., 1899-02-17
CHAPTER VII.-(Continued.)

lalneu Dy the SupercargO, VINO appears
not overwilling to come on board; the
boat has been ON shore this hour wait
ing for him, and we shall be last Of
the fleet under way. l wish the COM
pany would let us sail without these
gentlemen, who are, in my opinion, a
great hinderance to business; but they
think otherwise on shore"
What is their duty on board?" re-
piled Philip.
Their duty is to look after the car
go and the traffic, and if they kept to
that it would not be so bad; but they
interfere with everything else and
everybody, studying little except their
own comforts; in fact, they play the
king on board, knowing that we dare
not affront them, as a word from them
would prejudice the vessel when again
to be chartered The company insist
upon their being received with all hon
ors. We salute them with five guns
on their arrival on board"
do you know anything Of this one
whom you eXpect?"
Nothing, but from report. A brother
captain of mine with whom he has
sailed) told me that he is most fearful
of the dangers of the sea, and much
taken up with his own Importance.
Il wish he would come" replied
Philip; II am most anxious that we
should sail"
You must be Of wandering dispo-
sition, my son; / hear that you leave
comfortable home, and a pretty wife
to boot"
Il am most anxious to see the
world" replied Philip; land 1 must
learn to sail a ship before purchase
one, and try to make the fortune that
covet." (Alas! how different from
my real wishes, thought Philip, as he
made this reply.)
Fortunes are made and fortunes are
swallowed up, too, by the ocean," re-
piled the captain. IF could turn this
good ship into a good house, with plen-
ty of guilders to keep the house warm,
you would not find me standing on
this poop. l have doubled the Cape
twice, which is often enough for any
man; the third time may not be SO
lucky"
How long do you expect your voy-
age may occupy us?"
That's as may be; but / should say
about two years; nay, If not detained
by the factors, as l expect we shall be,
for some hostile service, it may be
less"
1.-TWO years." thought Philip, two
years from Amine!" and he sighed
deeply, for he felt that their separa-
tion might be forever.
NAY, my son, two years is not so
long," said Mynheer Kloots, who OBJ
served the passing cloud on Philips
brow. 81 was once five years away,
and was unfortunate, for / brought
home nothing. not even my ship. But
here he comes at last; they have
hoisted the ensign on the staff in the
boat; there-they have showed off.
Myneer Hillebrant, see the gunners
ready with their linstocks to salvo the
supercargo."
What duty do you wish me to per-
form?" observed Philip. I'm what can
l be useful?"
At present you can be of little use,
except in those heavy gales in which
every pair of hands is valuable. You
must look and learn for some time yet;
but you can make a fair copy of the
journal kept for the inspection of the
company, and may assist me in various
ways, as soon as the unpleasant nau-
sea felt by those who first embark has
subsidized. AS a remedy, should pro-
pose that you grid handkerchief tight
round your body so as to compress
the stomach, and make frequent appli-
cation of my bottle of schnapps, which
you will find always at your service.
But now to receive the factor of the
most puissant company .Mynheer Hille-
brant, let them discharge the cannon"
The guns were fired, and soon after
the smoke had cleared away, the boat.
with its long ensign trailing on the
water, was pulled alongside. Philip
watched the appearance of the super
cargo; but he remained in the boat un-
til several of the boxes with the in
itials and arms of the company were
first handed on the deck; at last the
supercargo appeared.
He was a small, spare, wizen-faced
man, with a three-cornered cooked hat.
bound with broad gold lace, upon his
head, under which appeared a full
bottomed flowing wig, the curls Of
which descended low upon his should
ers. His coat was of crimson velvet
with broad flaps; his waistcoat of
white silk, worked in colored flowers,
and descending halfway down to his
knees. His breeches were of black sat-
in, and his legs were covered with
white silk stockings. Add to this, gold
buckles at his knees and in his shoes,
lace ruffles to his wrists, and silver
moui4ed cane in his hand, and the
reader has the entire dress of Mynheer
Jacob JAM Won Stroom, the supercargo
of the Honorable Company, appointed
to the good ship Ter Schilling.
Mynheer Won Stroom did not appear
very anxious to remain on deck. He
requested to be shown into his cabin.
and followed the captain aft, picking
his way among the coils of ropes with
which his path was encountered The