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


The fleet, as Philip had expected, re.
manned 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 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 couple of muskets, and a
quantity Of ammunition, several blankets,
and various other articles, besides proyi-
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 rejoined 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 a wind, with
their heads offshorc. The next morning
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 SO 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 admiral's 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 Were 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 this admirel's ship with her
poop light, which, when the admiral was
astern, was not visible. What can be the
admiral's reason for thisp" thought Philip;
"has he run ahead on purpose to make q
charge against me 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 I 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, I 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 con-
tinued their course, much to Philips sur
prise, for he now thought he could make
out the loom Of tho land, dark as 1T 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; II cannot 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 hastened aft; he found the rudder
had been unshippsd, and the vessel was
immovably fixed. His thoughts then re-
verified to the admiral. "Was he on shoreS"
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.
&AAS . oA Voo AAACNt chA0 A1Alu0oloOoly
followed up by the fash and report of an
other gun close astern of them. Philip
looked with astonishment over the quar-
ter, and perceived the adniral's ship close
astern to him, and evidently on shore as
well as his own.
"Merciful heavenl" exclaimed Philip,
rushing forward, "what can this be9" He
beheld the other vessal, with her light
ahead, still sailing on and leaving them.
The day was now dawning, and there was
sufficient light to make out the land. The
bort was on shore not 80 yards from the
beach, and surrounded by the high and
barren rocks; yet the vessel ahead was
apparently sailing on over the land. The
seamen crowded on the forscastls, watch
ing this strange phenomenon; at last it
vanished from their sight.
"That's the Flying Dutohman, by all
that's holy" cried one of the seamen,
jumping of the gun.
Hardly had the man uttered these words
when the vessel disappeared.
Philip felt conv inced that 1t was so, and
he walked away saft in very perturbed
state. 1t must hatye been his fathers fatal
ship which had ds,coyed them to probable
destruction. Heahardly knew how to act.
The adniral's wrath he did not wish, just
at that moment, to encounter. He sent
for the officer Of the watch, and having
desired him to se1s,ct crew for the boat,
out of those men syho had been on deck,
and could substantiate his assertions,
ordered him to goson board of the admiral,
and state what had happened.
AS soon as the. boat had showed of,
Philip turned his attention to the state Of
his own vessel. The daylight had inoreas-