, a short,
well-set man of about thirty years of age. His hair was flaxen, and
fell in long flakes upon his shoulders, his complexion fair, and his
eyes of a soft blue: although there was little of the sailor in his
appearance, few knew or did their duty better.

"I thank you," replied Philip; "I had, indeed, forgotten myself, and
where I was: my thoughts were far away. Good night, and many thanks."

The Ter Schilling, like most of the vessels of that period, was very
different in her build and fitting from those of the present day. She
was ship-rigged, and of about four hundred tons burden. Her bottom was
nearly flat, and her sides fell in (as she rose above the water), so
that her upper decks were not half the width of the hold.

All the vessels employed by the Company being armed, she had her main
deck clear of goods, and carried six nine-pounders on each broadside;
her ports were small and oval. There was a great spring in all her
decks,--that is to say, she ran with a curve forward and aft. On her
forecastle another small deck ran from the knight-heads, which was
called the top-gallant forecastle. Her quarter-deck was broken with a
poop, which rose high out of the water. The bowsprit staved very much,
and was to appearance almost as a fourth mast: the more so, as she
carried a square spritsail and sprit-topsail. On her quarter-deck and
poop-bulwarks were fixed in sockets implements of warfare now long in
disuse, but what were then known by the names of cohorns and
patteraroes; they turned round on a swivel, and were pointed by an iron
handle fixed to the breech. The sail abaft the mizzen-mast
(corresponding to the driver or spanker of the present day) was fixed
upon a lateen-yard. It is hardly necessary to add (after this
description) that the dangers of a long voyage were not a little
increased by the peculiar structure of the vessels, which (although with
such top hamper, and so much wood above water, they could make good way
before a favourable breeze) could hold no wind, and had but little
chance if caught upon a lee-shore.

The crew of the Ter Schilling was composed of the captain, two mates,
two pilots, and forty-five men. The supercargo had not yet come on
board. The cabin (under the poop) was appropriated to the supercargo;
but the main-deck cabin to the captain and mates, who composed the whole
of the cabin mess.

When Philip awoke the next morning, he found that the topsails were
hoiste