The Red Cloud chief., 1899-06-30
CHAPTER XXXI.-(Continued.)

10 10 uOWH, Dut hSNSi ~ NohhS -
fore"
"The Phantom Ship-the Flying
Dutchman,'" sfrieked Schriften; Il
told you so, Philip Vanderdecken;
there Is your father-He, he!"
Philips eyes had remained fixed on
the vessel: he perceived that they were
lowering down a boat from her quar-
ter. TT is possible" thought he. II
shall now be permitted" and Philip
nut his hand into his bosom and
grasped the relic.
Shortly afterward the splash OF oars
was heard alongside, and a voice call
ing out: 81 say, my good people, give
us a rope from forward"
No one answered or complied with
the request. Schriften only went up
to the captain and told him that II
they offered to send letters they must
not be received or the vessel would be
doomed and all would perish.
A man now made his appearance
from over the gunwale, at the gang
way. "You might as well have let me
had q side rope. my hearties," said he'
as he stepped on deck; where Is the
c~aptain?"
Here" replied the captain, trem-
bling from head to foot. The man who
accosted him appeared a weather-beat-
en- seaman, dressed in a fur cap m
canvas petticoats.
What do you want?" at last scream
ed the captain.
ssUn,- r,hax 40 x,At uynntov continued
Schriften. "He! he!"
what, you here, pilot?" observed
the man; well. l thought you had
one to Davy's locker long enough
ago."
"He, he," replied schriften. turning
away.
"why, the fact is, captain. we have
had very foul weather, and we wish
to send letters home; / do believe that
we shall never get round this Cape"
Il can't take them!" cried the cap
tain.
Cant take them! Well, it's very
odd; but every ship refuses to take our
letters. It's very unkind; seamen
should have a feeling for brother sea-
men, especially In distress. God knows
we wish to see our wives and families
again; and It would be a matter of COM
fort to them II they only could hear
from u.s."
81 can not take your le%tters-the
saints preserve us!" replied the cap
tain.
I'VE have been a long while out"
said the seaman, shaking his head.
How long?" inquired the captain.
1--WE can't tell; u almanac was
blown overheard, and we have lost our
reckoning. We never had our latitude
exact now, for we cannot tell the suns
: d~eclination for the right day.
Let me see your letters" said Phil
ip, advancing and taking them out OF
the seaman's hands.
"They must not be touched" scream
ed Schriften.
"Out, monster!" replied Philip; "whc
dare interfere with mel"
Doomed! doomed! doomed" shrek.
ed Schriften. running up and down
the deck, and then breaking into a wild
fit Of laughter.
Touch not the letters" said the
. captain, trembling as II In an ague fit
Philip made no reply. but held his
hand out for the letters.
Here Is one from our second mate
to his wife at Amsterdam, who lives OF
Waser Quay"
"Waser Quay has long been gone
my good friend; there is now a large
dock for ships where 1t once was" re-
piled Philip.
"Impossible!" replied the man; there
is another from the boatswain to hi:
father, who lives in the old market
Z place"
THE old market place has long beer
pulled down, and there now stands
church upon the spot"
"Impossible! replied the seaman,
"hefe is another from myself to m,
sweetheart, Vrow Ketser-with none.
to buy her a new brooch"
Philip shook his head. II remembei
seeing an old lady of that name buriet
some thirty years ago."
Impossible! / left her young ant
blooming. Here's one for the house O
Slutz & Co., to whom the ship be
' longs"
There's no such house now" re
piled Philip; but l have heard tina
many years ago there was a firm o
that name"
Impossible! you must be laughing
at me. Here is a letter from our cap
tain to his son
"Give 1t me-" cried Philip. seizini
the letter. He was about to break tn
seal, when Schriften snatched 1t or
of his hand. and threw 1t over the lie
gunwale. n
q That's q scurvy trick for an oil,
shipmate," observed tho seaman
Sehriften made no reply. but catching
Up the other letters which Phillip ha,
laid down on the capstan. he hurle'
them after the first.
The strange seaman shed tears, an