scuit; we must leave her in five minutes."

So appalling was the roar of the breakers, that it was with difficulty
that the orders could be heard. In the mean time Mynheer Von Stroom lay
upon the deck, kicking, sprawling, and crying for help.

"There is a light breeze off the shore," cried Philip, holding up his
hand.

"There is, but I'm afraid it is too late. Hand the things into the
boats, and be cool, my men. We have yet a chance of saving her, if the
wind freshens."

They were now so near to the breakers that they felt the swell in which
the vessel lay becalmed turned over here and there on its long line, but
the breeze freshened and the vessel was stationary! The men were all in
the boats, with the exception of Mynheer Kloots, the mates, and Mynheer
Von Stroom.

"She goes through the water now," said Philip.

"Yes, I think we shall save her," replied the captain: "steady as you
go, Hillebrant," continued he to the first mate, who was at the helm.
"We leave the breakers now--only let the breeze hold ten minutes."

The breeze was steady, the Ter Schilling stood off from the land, again
it fell calm, and again she was swept towards the breakers; at last the
breeze came off strong, and the vessel cleaved through the water. The
men were called out of the boats; Mynheer Von Stroom was picked up along
with his hat and wig, carried into the cabin, and in less than an hour
the Ter Schilling was out of danger.

"Now we will hoist up the boats," said Mynheer Kloots, "and let us all,
before we lie down to sleep, thank God for our deliverance."

During that night the Ter Schilling made an offing of twenty miles, and
then stood to the southward; towards the morning the wind again fell,
and it was nearly calm.

Mynheer Kloots had been on deck about an hour, and had been talking with
Hillebrant upon the danger of the evening, and the selfishness and
pusillanimity of Mynheer Von Stroom, when a loud noise was heard in the
poop-cabin.

"What can that be?" said the captain; "has the good man lost his senses
from the fright? Why, he is knocking the cabin to pieces."

At this moment the servant of the supercargo ran out of the cabin.

"Mynheer Kloots, hasten in--help my master--he will be killed--the
bear!--the bear!"

"The bear! what Johannes?" cried Mynheer Kloots. "Why, the animal is as
tame as a dog. I will go and see."

But before Mynheer Kloots could walk into the cabin, out flew in his
shirt the affrigh