I go in
to acquaint the supercargo."

Mynheer Von Stroom was sitting in all the dignity of his office, and, it
being Sunday, had put on his very best wig. He was once more reading
over the letter to the Company, relative to the bear, when Mynheer
Kloots made his appearance, and informed him in a few words that they
were in a situation of peculiar danger, and that in all probability the
ship would be in pieces in less than half an hour. At this alarming
intelligence, Mynheer Von Stroom jumped up from his chair, and in his
hurry and fear knocked down the candle which had just been lighted.

"In danger! Mynheer Kloots!--why the water is smooth and the wind down!
My hat--where is my hat and my cane? I will go on deck. Quick! A
light--Mynheer Kloots, if you please to order a light to be brought; I
can find nothing in the dark. Mynheer Kloots, why do you not answer?
Mercy on me! he is gone and has left me."

Mynheer Kloots had gone to fetch a light, and now returned with it.
Mynheer Von Stroom put on his hat, and walked out of the cabin. The
boats were down, and the ship's head had been turned round from the
land: but it was now quite dark and nothing was to be seen but the white
line of foam created by the breakers as they dashed with an awful noise
against the shore.

"Mynheer Kloots, if you please, I'll leave the ship directly. Let my
boat come alongside--I must have the largest boat for the Honourable
Company's service--for the papers and myself."

"I'm afraid not, Mynheer Von Stroom," replied Kloots; "our boats will
hardly hold the men as it is, and every man's life is as valuable to
himself as yours is to you."

"But, Mynheer, I am the Company's supercargo. I order you--I will have
one--refuse if you dare."

"I dare, and do refuse," replied the captain, taking his pipe out of his
mouth.

"Well, well," replied Mynheer Von Stroom, who now lost all presence of
mind--"we will, sir--as soon as we arrive--Lord help us!--we are lost.
O Lord! O Lord!" And here Mynheer Von Stroom, not knowing why, hurried
down to the cabin, and in his haste tumbled over the bear Johannes, who
crossed his path, and in his fall his hat and flowing wig parted company
with his head.

"O! mercy! where am I? Help--help here! for the Honourable Company's
supercargo!"

"Cast off there in the boats, and come on board," cried Mynheer Kloots,
"we have no time to spare. Quick now, Philip, put in the compass, the
water, and the bi