except their own comforts; in fact, they
play the king on board, knowing that we dare not affront them, as a word
from them would prejudice the vessel when again to be chartered. The
Company insist upon their being received with all honours. We salute
with five guns on their arrival on board."

"Do you know anything of this one whom you expect?"

"Nothing, but from report. A brother captain of mine (with whom he has
sailed) told me that he is most fearful of the dangers of the sea, and
much taken up with his own importance."

"I wish he would come," replied Philip; "I am most anxious that we
should sail."

"You must be of a wandering disposition, my son: I hear that you leave a
comfortable home, and a pretty wife to boot."

"I am most anxious to see the world," replied Philip; "and I must learn
to sail a ship before I purchase one, and try to make the fortune that I
covet." (Alas! how different from my real wishes, thought Philip, as he
made this reply.)

"Fortunes are made, and fortunes are swallowed up too, by the ocean,"
replied the captain. "If I could turn this good ship into a good house,
with plenty of guilders to keep the house warm, you would not find me
standing on this poop. I have doubled the Cape twice, which is often
enough for any man; the third time may not be so lucky."

"Is it so dangerous, then?" said Philip.

"As dangerous as tides and currents, rocks and sand-banks, hard gales
and heavy seas, can make it,--no more! Even when you anchor in the bay,
on this side of the Cape, you ride in fear and trembling, for you may be
blown away from your anchor to sea or be driven on shore among the
savages, before the men can well put on their clothing. But when once
you're well on the other side of the Cape, then the water dances to the
beams of the sun as if it were merry, and you may sail for weeks with a
cloudless sky and a following breeze, without starting tack or sheet, or
having to take your pipe out of your mouth."

"What ports shall we go into, Mynheer?"

"Of that I can say but little. Gambroon, in the Gulf of Persia, will
probably be the first rendezvous of the whole fleet. Then we shall
separate: some will sail direct for Bantam, in the island of Java;
others will have orders to trade down the Straits for camphor, gum,
benzoin, and wax; they have also gold and the teeth of the elephant to
barter with us: there (should we be sent thither) you must be careful
with the natives, Myn