Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-01-04

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The fleet, as Philip had expected, re.
mnined hove to shifting the provisions,
and it was not till after dark that every
thing was arranged. This opportunity
was not lost. Philip was aware that it
would be considered a breach of discipline,
but to that he was Indifferent; neither
did he think it likely that it would come
to the ears of the admiral, as the crew of
the bort were partial both to the commo-
dore and to him. He had desired sea-
man whom he could trust, to put into one
of the boats a couple of muskets, and a
quantity of ammunition, several blankets,
and various other articles, besides provi-
sions for two or three months for one per-
son; and rs soon as it was dark the men
pulled on shore with the boat, found the
commodore on the beach waiting for them,
and supplied him with all these necessa-
ries. They then rcjoined their ship, with,
out the admiral's having the least suspi-
cion of what had been DONE and shortly
after the fleet made sail on wind, with
the three smaller vessels parted company,
and by sunset had gained many miles to
windward, after which they were not
again seen.
The admiral had sent for Philip to give
him his instructions, which were very Sc
we're, and evidently framed go as to be able
to afford him hereafter some excuse for
depriying him of his command. Among
others, his orders were. as the bort drew
less water than the admirars ship, to sail
ahead of him during the night, that II
they approached too near the land as they
beat across the channel, timely notice
might be given to the admiral If in too
shallow water. This responsibility was the
occasion of Philips being always on deck
when they approached the land on either
side of the strait. 1t was the second
night after the fleet had separated that
Philip had been summoned on deck as
they We're nearing the land of TERRA del
Fuego: he was watching the man in the
chains heaving the lead, when the officer
of the watch reported to him that the ad-
miral's ship was ahead Of them instead of
Rstern.
Philip made inquiry as to when he pass
ed, but could not discover; he went for
ward and saw the admiral's ship with her
poop light, which, when the admiral was
astern, was not visible. What can be the
admiral reason for this'" thought Philip;
"has he run ahead on purpose to make a
charge against mo Of neglect of dutyP 1t
must be SO. Well, let him do as he pleases;
he must wait now till we arrive in India,
for shall not allow him to desert me;
and with the company have as much,
and, rather think, as large proprietor,
more interest than he has. Well, as he
has thought proper to go ahead, have
nothing to do but to follow"
You may come out of the chains there. I"
Philip went forward; they were not, as
he imagined, very near to the land, but
the night was dark and they could not
distinguish 1t. For half an hour they coll
tinued their course, much to Philips sur.
prise, for he now thought he could make
out the loom Of tho land, dark as it was.
His eyes were constantly fixed upon the
ship ahead, expecting every minute that
she would go about; but no, she continued
her course, and Philip followed with his
own vessel.
We are very close to the land, sir, OBJ.
served Wander Hagen, the lieutenant, who
was the officer Of the watch.
so 1t appears to me, but the admiral
is closer, and draws much more water
than we do" replied Philip.
II think see the rocks on the beam to
leeward, SIR
II believe you are all right" replied
Philip; "Icannot understand this. Ready
about, and get gun ready-they must
suppose us to be ahead Of them, depend
upon it,"
Hardly had Philip given the order when
the vessel struck heavily on the rocks.
Philip fastened aft; he found the rudde,
had been unshippad, and the vessel was
immovably fixed. His thoughts then re.
verified to the admiral "Was he on shore'''
He ran forward, and the admiral was still
sailing on with his poop light, about two
cables length ahead Of him.
Fire the gun there, - cried Philip, per
picked beyond measure.
The gun was fired, and Immediately
followed up by the flash and report Of an
other gun close astern of them. Philir
looked with astonishment over the quar-
ter, and perceived the admirals ship close
astern to him, and evidently on shore al
| well as his own.
Merciful heavenI" exclaimed Philip
rushing forward, "what can this boz" He
beheld the other vessel, with her ligh1
ahead, still sailing on and leaving them
The day was now dawning, and there wal
sufficient light to make out the land. The
bort was on shore not 90 yards from thu
beach, and surrounded by the high ant
barren rocks; yet the vessel ahead wa!
apparently sailing on over the land. Tht
seamen crowded on the forscastle, watch
ing this strange phenomenon; at last ii
vanished from their sight
That'E the Flying Dutohman, by al
that's holyl" cried one Of the seamen
jumping of the gun.
Hardly had the man uttered these wordl
when the vessel disappeared.
Philip felt conv inced that 1T was SO, ant
he walked away saft in very perturbet
state It must hatye been his fathers fata
ship which had de,coyed them to probable
destruction. He,hardly knew how to act
The admiral's wrath he did not wish, jus
at that moment, to encounter. He son
for the officer Of the watch, and having
desired him to select q crew for the boat
out OF those men who had been on deck
and could substantiate his assertions
ordered him to go>on board of the admiral
and state what had happened.