at the same time."

"I don't say all saw it. You may ask those who did, and you won't get a
different story from what I've told you," he replied.

"And what think you was the ship you saw?" I asked.

"The _Flying Dutchman_, of course, and no manner of doubt about the
matter," he answered promptly. [Note 1.] "If you had been on the
look-out you would have seen him as clearly as I did. Remember, Pusser,
if you ever fall in with him, don't let him come aboard, that's all.
He'll send you to the bottom as surely as if a red-hot shot was to be
dropped into the hold."

"Who is this _Flying Dutchman_?" I asked, wishing to humour Benjie by
pretending to believe his story.

"Why, as to that, there are two opinions," he answered, as if he was
speaking of authenticated facts. "Some say that he was an honest
trader, that he was bound in for Table Bay, when he was ordered off by
the authorities, and that, putting to sea, he was lost; others say that
he was a piratical gentleman, and that on one occasion, when short of
provisions, being driven off the land by contrary winds, he swore a
great oath that he would beat about till the day of doom, but that get
in he would. He and all his crew died of starvation, but the oath has
been kept; and when gales are threatening, or mischief of any kind
brewing, he is to be met with, trying in vain to accomplish his vow."

I smiled at Benjie's account, whereat he pretended to look very
indignant, as if I had doubted his veracity. I afterwards made
inquiries among the seamen. Two or three asserted that they had
witnessed an extraordinary sight during the night, but they all differed
considerably in their accounts. It may be supposed that they were
trying to practise on the credulity of a greenhorn. My belief is that
they really fancied that they had seen what they described.

The clouds grew thicker and thicker till they got as black as ink. The
sea became of a dark leaden hue, and the swell increased in height, so
that when we sank down into the intermediate valley, we could not see
from the deck beyond the watery heights on either side of us.

"Ah, the skipper is right; we shall have it before long, hot and
furious."

This remark, made by Benjie Stubbs, followed the captain's order to send
down all our lighter spars, and to make everything secure on deck, as
well as below. The ship was scarcely made snug before the tempest broke
on us. The high, smooth rollers were now torn