Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-12-04
. eeTHEee
: PHANTOM SHIP;
= esoR, 80
: THE FLYING DUTCHf\AN.
BY captAiD rAArryAt.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
CHAPTER XII.

very comfortable passages; for the Ba-
tavia was chartered to convey large de-
tachment of troops to Ceylon and Java,
for the purpose of recruiting and strength
ening the company forces at those places.
She was to quit the fleet off Madagascar,
and run direct for the island of Java: tho
number of soldiers on board being pre-
sumed sufficient to insure the ship against
any attack or accidents from pirates or
enemies cruisers. The Batavia, more
over, mounted 80 guns, and had crew Of
rs men. Besides military stores, which
formed the principal part Of her cargo, she
had on board large quantity of specie
for tho Indian market. Tho detachment
of soldiers was embarking when Philip
went on board, and in few minutes the
decks were SO crowded that 1t was hardly
possible to move. Philip, who had not yet
spoken to the captain, found out the first
mate, and Immediately entered upon his
duty, with which, from his close applica-
ton to it during his former voyage and
passage home, he was much better ac-
quainted than might have been imagined
1t would be difficult to analyze the feel
ings of Philip Vanderdecken on this his
second embarkation. His mind was so
continually directed to the object OF his
voyage, that although he attended to his
religious duties, yet the business Of life
passed before him as dream. Assured of
again meeting with the phantom ship
and almost equally assured that the meet
ing would be followed by some untoward
event, in all probability by the sacrifice Of
those who sailed with him, his thoughts
preycd upon him, and wore him down to
a shadow. He hardly ever spoke, except
in the execution of his duty. He felt like
criminal; as one who, by cmbarking
with them, had doomed all around him to
one death, disaster, and peril; and when
one talked of his wife, and another of his
children-when they would indulge in an
ticipations, and canvass happy projects,
Philip would feel sick Mt heart, and would
rise from the table, and hasten to tho soil
tudc of the deck. At one time he would
try to persuade himself that his senses had
been worked upon in some moment of ex-
element, that he was the victim of an
allusion; at another he would call to mind
all the past-he would feel It's terrible re-
atty: and then the thought would suggest
itself that with this supernatural vision
heaven had nothing to do; that it was but
tho work and jugglery OF satan. But then
the relic-by such means the devil would
not have worked. A few days after no
had sailed, he bitterly repented that he
had not stated tho whole of hia -eiroum--
stances to Father Seysen, and takon his
advice upon the propriety Of following up
his search; but it was now too late; al
ready was the good ship Batavia mora
than 1000 miles from the port Of Amster-
dam, and his duty, whatever 1t might be,
must be fulfilled.
AS the fleet approached the cape, his
anxiety increased to such u degree that it
was remarked by all who were on board.
The captain and officers commanding the
troops embarked, who all felt interested
in him, vainly attempted to learn tho
cause Of his anxiety. Philip would plead
ill health: and his haggard countenance
and sunken eyes silently proved that he
was under acute suffering. The major
part of the night he passed on deck, strain
Ing his eyes in every quarter, and watch
ing each change in the horizon, in antici-
patton of the appearance Of the phantom
ship: and it was not till the day dawned
that he sought perturbed repose in his
cabin. After favorable passage the feet
anchored to refresh at Table bay, and
Philip felt some small relief, that up to
the present time the supernatural vista
ton had not again occurred.
AS soon us the feet had watered, they
again made sail, and again did Philips
agitation become perceptible. With ia
voring breeze, however, they rounded the
cape, passed by Madagascar. and arrived
In the Indian seas, when the Batavia part
ed company with tho rest of the feet,
which steered to Cambroon and Ceylon.
AND now," thought Philip, twill the
phantom ship make her appearances 1t
has only waited till we should bc left with
out consort to assist US in distress" But
the Batavia sailed In smooth sea and
under a cloudless sky, and nothing was
seen. In few weeks she arrived off Java,
and previous to entering the splendid
roads of Batavia, hove to for tho night.
This was the last night they would be I'M
deck, but walked to and fro, an1iously
waiting for the morning. The morning
sun rose in splendor, and the
Batavia steered into the roads. Before
noon she was at anchor, and Philip, with
his mind relieved, hastened down to his
cabin, and took that repose which he 10
much required.
He awoke refreshed, for great weight
had been taken off his mind. ut does not
follow, then," thought he, that because
am on board the vessel that therefore the
crew are doomed to perish; 1t does not fol-
low that the phantom ship is to appear
because seek her. If so have no fur
Their weight upon my conscience. seek
her, it is true, and wish to meet with her;
I stand, however, but the same change as
others; and it is no way certain, that, be-
cause I seek, am sure to find That she
brings disaster upon all she meets, may
be true, but not that bring with me the
disaster Of meeting her. Heaven, thank
theel Now can I prosecute my search
without remorse."
Philip, restored to composure by these
reflections, went on deck. The debarka-
ton of the troops was already taking
place, for they were as anxious to BIO re-
lieved from their long confinement as the
seamen were to regain little space and
comfort. He surveyed the scene. The
town Of Batavia lay about one mile from
them, low on the beach; from behind u
rose lofty chain of mountains. brilliant
with yerdure, and, here and there, peopled
with country seats, belonging to the rcsi-