ompress the stomach, and make frequent application of my
bottle of schnapps, which you will find always at your service. But now
to receive the factor of the most puissant Company. Mynheer Hillebrant,
let them discharge the cannon."

The guns were fired, and soon after the smoke had cleared away, the
boat, with its long ensign trailing on the water, was pulled alongside.
Philip watched the appearance of the supercargo--but he remained in the
boat until several of the boxes with the initials and arms of the
Company were first handed on the deck; at last the supercargo appeared.

He was a small, spare, wizen-faced man with a three-cornered cocked-hat,
bound with broad gold lace, upon his head, under which appeared a
full-bottomed flowing wig, the curls of which descended low upon his
shoulders. His coat was of crimson velvet, with broad flaps: his
waistcoat of white silk, worked in coloured flowers, and descending
half-way down to his knees. His breeches were of black satin, and his
legs were covered with white silk stockings. Add to this, gold buckles
at his knees and in his shoes, lace ruffles to his wrists, and a
silver-mounted cane in his hand, and the reader has the entire dress of
Mynheer Jacob Janz Von Stroom, the supercargo of the Honourable Company,
appointed to the good ship Ter Schilling.

As he looked round him, surrounded at a respectful distance, by the
captain, officers, and men of the ship, with their caps in their hands,
the reader might be reminded of the picture of the "Monkey who had seen
the world," surrounded by his tribe. There was not, however, the least
inclination on the part of the seamen to laugh, even at his flowing,
full-bottomed wig: respect was at that period paid to dress; and
although Mynheer Von Stroom could not be mistaken for a sailor, he was
known to be the supercargo of the Company, and a very great man. He
therefore received all the respect due to so important a personage.

Mynheer Von Stroom did not, however, appear very anxious to remain on
deck. He requested to be shown into his cabin, and followed the captain
aft, picking his way among the coils of ropes with which his path was
encumbered. The door was opened, and the supercargo disappeared. The
ship was then got under weigh, the men had left the windlass, the sails
had been trimmed, and they were securing the anchor on board, when the
bell of the poop-cabin (appropriated to the supercargo) was pulled with
great vio