e in splendour, and the Batavia steered into the
roads. Before noon she was at anchor, and Philip, with his mind
relieved, hastened down to his cabin, and took that repose which he so
much required.

He awoke refreshed, for a great weight had been taken off his mind. "It
does not follow, then," thought he, "that because I am on board the
vessel that therefore the crew are doomed to perish; it does not follow
that the Phantom Ship is to appear because I seek her. If so, I have no
further weight upon my conscience. I seek her, it is true, and wish to
meet with her; I stand, however, but the same chance as others; and it
is no way certain, that, because I seek, I am sure to find. That she
brings disaster upon all she meets, may be true, but not that I bring
with me the disaster of meeting her. Heaven, I thank thee! Now can I
prosecute my search without remorse."

Philip, restored to composure by these reflections, went on deck. The
debarkation of the troops was already taking place, for they were as
anxious to be relieved from their long confinement, as the seamen were
to regain a little space and comfort. He surveyed the scene. The town
of Batavia lay about one mile from them, low on the beach; from behind
it rose a lofty chain of mountains, brilliant with verdure, and, here
and there, peopled with country seats belonging to the residents,
delightfully embosomed in forests of trees. The panorama was beautiful;
the vegetation was luxuriant, and, from its vivid green, refreshing to
the eye. Near to the town lay large and small vessels, a forest of
masts; the water in the bay was of a bright blue, and rippled to a soft
breeze; here and there small islets (like tufts of fresh verdure) broke
the uniformity of the waterline; even the town itself was pleasing to
the eye, the white colour of the houses being opposed to the dark
foliage of the trees which grew in the gardens and lined the streets.

"Can it be possible," observed Philip to the captain of the Batavia, who
stood by him, "that this beautiful spot can be so unhealthy? I should
form a very different opinion from its appearance."

"Even," replied the captain, "as the venomous snakes of the country
start up from among its flowers, so does Death stalk about in this
beautiful and luxuriant landscape. Do you feel better, Mynheer
Vanderdecken."

"Much better," replied Philip.

"Still, in your enfeebled state, I should recommend you to go on shore."

"I s