Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-12-04


color Of the houses being opposed to tho
dark foliage of the trees, which grew in
the gardens, and lined the streets.
"Can 1t BE- possible" observed Philip,
to the captain of the Batavia, who stood
by him, THAT this beautiful spot can be
80 nnhealthyf should form very differ
ent opinion from Its appearance.
"Even," replied the captain, las the
venomous snakes Of the country start UP
from among Its flowers, so does death stalk
about in this beautiful and luxuriant
landscape. Do you feel better, Mynheer
VanderdeckenS"
Much better" replied Philip.
still, In your enfeebled state, should
recommend you to go on shore.
II shall avail myself Of your permission
with thanks. How long shall we stay
heres"
Not long, as wc are ordered to run
back. Our cargo is all ready for us, and
will be on board soon after we have dis
charged"
Philip took the advice of his captain;
he had no difficulty III finding himself re-
ceived by hospitable merchant, who had
a house at some distance from tho town,
and in healthy situation. There no re-
manned two months, during which he re-
established his health, and then re-em-
barked few days previous to the ship be-
Ing ready for sea. The return voyage was
fortunate, and in four months from the
date OF their quitting Batavia, they found
themselves abreast Of St. Helena; fer ves-
sells, at that period, generally made what
Is called the eastern passage, running
down the coast of Africa, instead of keep
Ing toward the American shores. Again
they had passed the cape without meeting
with the phantom ship; and Philip was
not only in excellent health, but in good
spirits. AS they lay becalmed, with the
Islands In sight. they observed boat
pulling toward them, and in the course OF
three hours she arrived on board The
crew were much exhausted from having
been two days in the boat, during which
time they had never ceased pulling to
gain the island. They stated themselves
to be the crew of small Dutch Indiaman,
which had foundercd at sea two days be-
fore; she had started one Of her planks,
and filled so rapidly that the men had
hardly time to save themselves. They
consisted of the captain, mates, and 90
men belonging to ship, and an old Portu-
guese Catholic priest, who had been sent
home by the Dutch governor for having
opposed the Dutch interest in the island
of Japan. He had lived with the natives
md eeer, soerstad by them for some time,
as the japanese government was equally
DESTROYS of capturing him, with tho inten-
ton Of taking away his life. Eventually
he found himself obliged to throw himself
into the arms of the Dutch, as being tho
less cruel of his enemies.
! The Dutch government decided that he
should BIO sent away from the country
and he had, in consequence, been put on
board of the Indiaman for a passage home.
BY the report Of the captain and crew,
one person only had been lost; but he
was person of consequence, having for
many years held the situation of president
in tho Dutch factory at Japan. He was
returning to Holland with the riches
which he had amassed. By the evidence
Of tho captain and crew, he had insisted,
after he was put into the boat, upon going
back to the ship to secure caskct of i'm
menSe value, containing diamonds and
other precious stones, which he had for
gotten; they added, that while they We're
waiting for him the ship suddenly plunged
her bowsprit under, and went down head
foremost, and 1t was with difficulty they
had themselves escaped. They had waited
for some time to ascertain if he would rise
again to the surface, but he appeared no
more.
II knew that something would hap.
pen," observed the captain of the sunken
vessel, after he had been sitting short
time in the cabin with Philip and the cap
tain of the Batavia; 1--WE saw the Fiend
or DEVILS Ship, as they call her, but three
days before"
"What the Flying Dutchman, as they
name herr" asked Philip.
Eyes; that, believe, is the name they
give her, replied the captain. ~ have
often heard of her; but it never was my
fate to fail i'll with her before, and hope
it never will be again; for am ruined
man, and must begin the world afresh."
~ have heard of that vessel" observed
the captain of the Batavia. "Pray, how
did she appear to your"
"Why, the fact is, did not see any
thing but tho loom of her hull, !" replied
the other "It was very strange; the night
was fine, and the heavens clear; we wero
under topgallant sails, for do not carry
on during the night, or else we might
have put the royals on her; she would
have carried them with the breeze. had
turned in, when about o'clock in the
morning the mate called mo to come on
deck. demanded what was the matter,
and he replied he could hardly tell, but
that the men were much frightened, and
that there was a ghost ship, as the sailors
termed 1t, in sight. went on deck; all
the horizon was clear, but ON our quarter
was sort Of fog, round as ball, and not
more than two cables length from U.s. We
were going about four knots and q half
free, and yet we could not escape from this
mist. Look there, said the mate why,
what the devil can 1t be2' said /, rubbing
my eyes No banks up to windwartl, and
yet fog in the middle Of clear sky,
with fresh breeze, and with water all
around it,; for you see the fog did not
cover more than half dozen cables
lengths, as we could perceive by the ho-
rizon OH each side of It, 'Hark, sir z said
the mate-'they are speaking again
Speaking! said I, and listened; and
from out this ball Of fog I heard volces.
At last, one cricd out, Keep sharp look
out forward, dye hcarP' Aye, aye, sirp
replied another voice. Ship on the star
board bow, sir. Very well; strike the