. "Allow me to ask, how did you
escape?"

"I was thrown up by the waves," replied Philip; "but--"

"But," interrupted Schriften, "he! he! the waves ought _not_ to have
thrown me up."

"And why not, pray? I did not say that."

"No! but I presume you wish it had been so; but, on the contrary, I
escaped in the same way that you did--I was thrown up by the waves--he!
he! but I can't wait here. I have done my bidding."

"Stop," replied Philip; "answer me one question. Do you sail in the
same vessel with me this time?"

"I'd rather be excused," replied Schriften; "I am not looking for the
Phantom Ship, Mynheer Vanderdecken;" and, with this reply, the little
man turned round, and went away at a rapid pace.

"Is not this a summons, Amine?" said Philip, after a pause, still
holding the letter in his hand, with the seal unbroken.

"I will not deny it, dearest Philip. It is most surely so; the hateful
messenger appears to have risen from the grave that he might deliver it.
Forgive me, Philip; but I was taken by surprise. I will not again
annoy you with a woman's weakness."

"My poor Amine," replied Philip, mournfully. "Alas! why did I not
perform my pilgrimage alone? It was selfish of me to link you with so
much wretchedness, and join you with me in bearing the fardel of
never-ending anxiety and suspense."

"And who should bear it with you, my dearest Philip, if it is not the
wife of your bosom? You little know my heart if you think I shrink from
the duty. No, Philip, it is a pleasure, even in its most acute pangs;
for I consider that I am, by partaking with, relieving you of a portion
of your sorrow, and I am proud that I am the wife of one who has been
selected to be so peculiarly tried. But, dearest, no more of this. You
must read the letter."

Philip did not answer. He broke the seal, and found that the letter
intimated to him that he was appointed as first mate to the Vrow
Katerina, a vessel which sailed with the next fleet; and requesting he
would join as quickly as possible, as she would soon be ready to receive
her cargo. The letter, which was from the secretary, further informed
him that, after this voyage, he might be certain of having the command
of a vessel as captain, upon conditions which would be explained when he
called upon the Board.

"I thought, Philip, that you had requested the command of a vessel for
this voyage," observed Amine, mournfully.

"I did," replied Philip; "but not ha