heer Vanderdecken. They are fierce and
treacherous, and their curved knives (or creeses, as they call them) are
sharp and deadly poisoned. I have had hard fighting in those Straits
both with Portuguese and English."

"But we are all at peace now."

"True, my son; but when round the Cape, we must not trust to papers
signed at home; and the English press us hard, and tread upon our heels
wherever we go. They must be checked; and I suspect our fleet is so
large and well appointed in expectation of hostilities."

"How long do you expect your voyage may occupy us?"

"That's as may be: but I should say about two years;--nay, if not
detained by the factors, as I expect we shall be, for some hostile
service, it may be less."

"Two years," thought Philip, "two years from Amine!" and he sighed
deeply, for he felt that their separation might be for ever.

"Nay, my son, two years is not so long," said Mynheer Kloots, who
observed the passing cloud on Philip's brow. "I was once five years
away, and was unfortunate, for I brought home nothing, not even my ship.
I was sent to Chittagong, on the east side of the great Bay of Bengala,
and lay for three months in the river. The chiefs of the country would
detain me by force; they would not barter for my cargo, or permit me to
seek another market. My powder had been landed and I could make no
resistance. The worms ate through the bottom of my vessel and she sank
at her anchors. They knew it would take place, and that then they would
have my cargo at their own price. Another vessel brought us home. Had
I not been so treacherously served, I should have had no need to sail
this time; and now my gains are small, the Company forbidding all
private trading. But here he comes at last; they have hoisted the
ensign on the staff in the boat; there--they have shoved off. Mynheer
Hillebrant, see the gunners ready with their linstocks to salvo the
supercargo."

"What duty do you wish me to perform?" observed Philip. "In what can I
be useful?"

"At present you can be of little use, except in those heavy gales in
which every pair of hands is valuable. You must look and learn for some
time yet; but you can make a fair copy of the journal kept for the
inspection of the Company, and may assist me in various ways, as soon as
the unpleasant nausea, felt by those who first embark, has subsided. As
a remedy, I should propose that you gird a handkerchief tight round your
body so as to c