The Red Cloud chief., 1899-03-03
PHANTOM SHIP
Or
The Flying DUtchman.
~"-DY CAPTAIN MAMYAr

by CAPTAIN MARRYAr.

way, the man had left the windlass,
he sails had been trimmed and they
were securing the anchor on board
when the bell Of the poop cabin Tap
propriated to the supercargo) was
pulled with great violence.
What can that be-" said Mynheer
Kloots twho was forward, taking his
pipe out of his mouth. "Mynheer Van
derdecken, will you see what is the
matter?"
Philip went aft, as the peallng OF
the bell continued, and, opening the
cabin door, discovered the supercargo
perched upon the table and pulling the
bell rope. which hung over its center.
with every mark of fear In his coun-
tenance. His wig was off, and his bare
ski gave him an appearance peculiar
ly ridiculous.
What is the matter, sir?" inquired
Philip.
Matter" spluttered Mynheer Won
Stroom; call the troops in with their
flrelocks. Quick, sir. Am ! to be MUIR
dered, torn to pieces and devoured?
For mercy's sake, sir. don't stare, but
do something-look. it's coming to the
table! Oh. dear, oh, dear!" continued
the supercargo, evidently terrified out
of his wits.
Philip, whose eyes had been fixed on
Mynheer Won Stroom, turned them in
the direction pointed out, and, much
to his establishment, perceived a small
bear upon the deck, who was amusing
himself with the supercargo's flowing
wig, which he held in his paws, tossing
1t about, and now and then burying
his muzzle in 1t. The unexpected sight
of the animal was at first a shock to
Philip; but at a moments considera-
ton assured him that the animal must
be harmless, OF IL never would have
been permitted to remain loose in the
vessel.
Nevertheless, Philip had no wish to
approach the animal, whose DISPOSE
ton he was u~nacquainted with, when
the appearance OF Mynheer Kloots put
an end to his difficulty.
What Is the matter. mynheer?" said
the captain. "Oh, / see! it is Jo-
hannes," continued the captain. going
up to the bear, and saluting him with
a kick, as he recovered the supercar-
go's wig. "Out Of the cabin, Johannes!
out, sir!" cried Mynheer Kloots,
kicking the breech Of the bear TIL the
animal had escaped through the door.
"Mynheer o Stroom, | am very sor-
ry-here is your wig. Shut the door,
Mynheer Vanderdecken, or the beast
may come back, for he Is very fond of
me-"
AS soon as the door was shut be-
tween Mynheer o Stroom and the
object OF his terror the little man slid
off the table to the high-backed chair
near it shook out the damaged curls
of his wig, and replaced it on his head;
pulled out his %rufiles, and, assuming an
air OF maglsterial importance, struck
his cane on the deck, and then spoke:
"Mynheer Kloots, what is the mean
ing of this disrcspect to the supercargo
of the puissant company"
God in heaven! no disrespect, myn-
heer; the animal is a bear, as you see;
he Is very tame. ever with strangers.
He belongs to me. l have had him
ever since he was three months old. 1t
was all q mistake. The mate, Mynheer
Hildebrant. put him in the cabin, that
he might be out OF the way while the
duty was carrying on, and he quite for
got that he was here. l am very sor-
ry, Mynheer O Stroom; but he will
not come here again, unless you wish
to play with him."
PLAY with him? !, s%upercargo TO
the company, play with q bear! Myn-
heer Kloots, the animal must be thrown
overheard Immediately"
NAY, nay; l canno throw over
board an animal that | hold in much
affection. Mynheer O Stroom, but
he shall not trouble YOU"
1T must Immediately be sent out of
the ship. Mynheer Kloots. | order you
to send 1t away-on your peril to re-
fuse"
Then we will drop the anchor again.
Mynheer Won Stroom, and send on
shore to headquarters to decide the
point. II the company insists that the
brute be put on shore, be II SO; but
recollect, Mynheer Won Stroom, we
shall lose the protection Of the fleet,
and have to sail alone. Shall / drop
the anchor. m%ynheer?"
This observation softened down the
p~ertinacity OF the supercargo; he had
no wish to sail alone, and the fear of
this contingency was more powerful
than the fear OF the bear.
"Mynheer Kloots, ! vel not be too
severe; IL the animal is chained. so
that 1t does not approach me, I will
consent to Its remaining on board.
CHAPTER VIII