ion it was not
Philip's good fortune to execute. The brig, named the Wilhelmina sailed
and soon arrived at St. Helena. After watering she proceeded on her
voyage. They had made the Western Isles, and Philip was consoling
himself with the anticipation of soon joining his Amine, when to the
northward of the islands, they met with a furious gale before which they
were obliged to scud for many days, with the vessel's head to the
south-east; and as the wind abated, and they were able to haul to it,
they fell in with a Dutch fleet of five vessels, commanded by an
admiral, which had left Amsterdam more than two months, and had been
buffeted about by contrary gales for the major part of that period.
Cold, fatigue, and bad provisions, had brought on the scurvy; and the
ships were so weakly manned, that they could hardly navigate them. When
the captain of the Wilhelmina reported to the admiral that he had part
of the crew of the Vrow Katerina on board, he was ordered to send them
immediately to assist in navigating his crippled fleet. Remonstrance
was useless. Philip had but time to write to Amine, acquainting her
with his misfortunes and disappointment; and, confiding the letter to
his wife, as well as his narrative of the loss of the Vrow Katerina for
the directors, to the charge of the captain of the Wilhelmina, he
hastened to pack up his effects, and repaired on board of the admiral's
ship with Krantz and the crew. To them were added six of the men
belonging to to Wilhelmina, whom the admiral insisted on retaining; and
the brig, having received the admiral's despatches, was then permitted
to continue her voyage.

Perhaps there is nothing more trying to the seaman's feelings than being
unexpectedly forced to recommence another series of trials, at the very
time when they anticipate repose from their former; yet how often does
this happen! Philip was melancholy. "It is my destiny," thought he,
using the words of Amine, "and why should I not submit?" Krantz was
furious, and the seamen discontented and mutinous; but it was useless.
Might is right on the vast ocean, where there is no appeal--no trial or
injunction to be obtained.

But hard as their case appeared to them, the admiral was fully justified
in his proceeding. His ships were almost unmanageable with the few
hands who could still perform their duty; and this small increase of
physical power might be the means of saving hundreds who lay helpless in
their hamm