Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-11-20

CHAPTER TX.
Philip Vanderdecken was soon able to
render some service on board He was
soon a favorite Of the captain, and init.
mate with Hillebrant, the first mate; the
second mate, Struys, was lnorose young
man, with whom he had little intercourse.
There was another party in the ship whom
wo must not lose sight of-the one eyed
pilot, Schriften, who appeared to have i'm
bibed great animosity toward our hero,
as we'll as to his dumb favorite the bear.
AS Philip hold the rank of an officer,
Schriften dared not openly affront, though
he took every opportunity of annoying
him, and was constantly inveighing
against him before the ships company.
To the bear he was more openly inyeter-
ate, and seldom passed it without bestow-
ing upon it severe kick, accompanied
with a horrid curse Although no one on
board appeared to be fond of this man, ev.
erybody appeared to be afraid of him, and
he had obtained control over the seamen
which appeared unaccountable.
Such was the state of affairs on board
the good ship Ter Schilling, whom, in
company with two others, she lay be-
Gained about two days sail to the cape.
The weather was intensely hot, for IL was
the summer In those southern latitudes,
and Philip, who had been lying down un-
der the awning spread over the poop, was
so overcome with the heat that he had fall
en- asleep. He awoke with a shiverine
sensation Of cold over his whole body, par
tioularly at his chest, and half opening his
eyes, he perceived the pilot, Schriften,
leaning over him, and holding between
his finger and his thumb portion Of the
chain which had not been concealed, and
to which was attached the sacred relic.
Philip closed them again, to ascertain
what were the mans Intentions; he found
that he gradually dragged out the chain,
and, when the relic was clear, attempted
to pass the whole over his head, evidently
to gain possession Of 1t. Upon this at
tempt Philip started up and seized him by
the waist.
Indeed" cried Philip, with an indig-
nant look, as he released the chain from
the pilots hand.
But schriften appeared not in the least
confused at being detected In his attempt:
looking with his malicious one eye at
Philip, he mockingly observed:
"Does that chain hold her pictures-hel
he!'
Vanderdeoken rose, pushed him away,
and folded his arms.
i advise you not to be quite so curious,
Master Pilot, or you may repent 1t.
Or perhaps" continued the pilot, quite
regardless Of Philips wrath, SIT may be
o child's caul, sovereign remedy against
drowning -
$50 forward to your duty, sir" cried
Philip.
Tor, as you are Catholic, the finger
nail Of a saint; or, yes, I have TIA piece
Of the holy CROSS"
Philip started.
"That's it! that's It'll" cried Sohriften,
who now went forward to where the sea-
men were standing at the gangway.
"News for you, my ladsl'' said he;
Twelve piece OF the holy cross aboard,
and so we may defy the devil!''
Philip, hardly knowing why, had fol-
lowed Schriften as he descended the poop
ladder, and was forward ON the quarter
deck, when the pilot made this remark to
the seamen
"Aye! ayel" replied an old seaman to the
pilot; "not only the devil, but the Flying
Dutchman to boot"
Flying Dutchman," thought Philip,
"can that refer to- And Philip walked
step or two forward SO as to conceal
himself behind the mainmast, hoping to
obtain some information, should they con-
tinue the conversation. In this he was
not disappointed.
They say that to meet with him is
worse than meeting with the devil, !" OBJ
served another of the crew.
Who ever saw himY" said another.
He has been seen, that's sartain, and
just as sartain that Ill luck follows the
vessel that falls in with him. -
And where is he to be fallen in within"
"Ohl they say that's not SO sartain-
but he cruises of the cape. -
and short Of the story" said third.
II can only tell what I've heard. It's a
doomed vessel; they were pirates, and out
the captains throat, believe
"Nol mol" cried Schriften, 1.-THE captain
is in her now-and villain he was.
They say that, like somebody else on board
OF US now, he left very pretty wife, and
that he was very fond Of her.
"How do they know that, pilots"
Because he always wants to send let
ters homo when he boards vessels that he
falls in with. But, woe to the vessel that
takes charge Of them l-she is sure to be
lost, with every soul on boardi"
II wonder where you heard all this, {"
said one Of the men. did you ever see
the Yesself''
" Yes, didp screamed Sohriften; but
as If recovering himself, his scream SUBJ
sided into his usual giggle, and he added,
"but we need not fear her, boys; we've a
bit of the true cross on board" Schriften
then walked aft as If to avoid being ques-
toned, when he perceived Philip by the
mainmast.
rs. I'm not the only one curiousg--hei
he'll Pray did you bring that on board,
In case we should fall in with the Flying
Dutchmanf"
II fear no Flying Dutohman," replied
Philip confused.
Now I think of it, you are Of the same
name; at least they say that his name was
MISUNDERSTANDING
There are many Vanderdeckens in the
world besides me-, replied Philip, who
had recovered his oomposure; and having
made this reply. he walked away to the
poop of the vessel.
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