ver returned into port--others tell the same tale."

"Is she, then, the ghost of a vessel?"

"I am told so; and there are various stories afloat concerning her: but
of this, I assure you--that I am fully persuaded that some accident will
happen before we reach port, although everything at this moment appears
so calm, and our port is so near at hand."

"You are superstitious," replied Krantz; "and yet, I must say, that, to
me, the appearance was not like a reality. No vessel could carry such
sail in the gale; but yet, there are madmen afloat who will sometimes
attempt the most absurd things. If it was a vessel, she must have gone
down, for when it cleared up she was not to be seen. I am not very
credulous, and nothing but the occurrence of the consequences which you
anticipate will make me believe that there was anything supernatural in
the affair."

"Well! I shall not be sorry if the event proves me wrong," replied
Philip; "but I have my forebodings--we are not in port yet."

"No! but we are but a trifling distance from it, and there is every
prospect of a continuance of fine weather."

"There is no saying from what quarter the danger may come," replied
Philip; "we have other things to fear than the violence of the gale."

"True," replied Krantz; "but, nevertheless, don't let us croak.
Notwithstanding all you say, I prophesy that in two days, at the
farthest, we are safely anchored in Table Bay."

The conversation here dropped, and Philip was glad to be left alone. A
melancholy had seized him--a depression of spirits, even greater than he
had ever felt before. He leant over the gangway and watched the heaving
of the sea.

"Merciful Heaven!" ejaculated he, "be pleased to spare this vessel; let
not the wail of women, the shrieks of the poor children, now embarked,
be heard; the numerous body of men, trusting to her planks,--let not
them be sacrificed for my father's crimes." And Philip mused. "The
ways of Heaven are indeed mysterious," thought he. "Why should others
suffer because my father has sinned? And yet, is it not so everywhere?
How many thousands fall on the field of battle in a war occasioned by
the ambition of a king, or the influence of a woman! How many millions
have been destroyed for holding a different creed of faith! _He_ works
in his own way, leaving us to wonder and to doubt!"

The sun had set before Philip had quitted the gangway and gone down
below. Commending himself, and those