the mean time the
commodore remained in irons, and many were the conjectures concerning
his ultimate fate. The power of life and death was known to be in the
admiral's hands, but no one thought that such power would be exerted up
on a delinquent of so high a grade. The other captains kept aloof from
Philip, and he knew little of what was the general idea. Occasionally
when on board of the admiral's ship, he ventured to bring up the
question, but was immediately silenced; and feeling that he might injure
the late commodore (for whom he had a regard), he would risk nothing by
importunity; and the fleet sailed for the Straits of Magellan without
anybody being aware of what might be the result of the court-martial.

It was about a fortnight after they had left the Falkland Islands, that
they entered the Straits. At first they had a leading wind which
carried them half through, but this did not last, and they then had to
contend not only against the wind, but against the current, and they
daily lost ground. The crews of the ships also began to sicken from
fatigue and cold. Whether the admiral had before made up his mind, or
whether irritated by his fruitless endeavours to continue his voyage, it
is impossible to say; but after three weeks' useless struggle against
the wind and currents, he hove to and ordered the captains on board,
when he proposed that the prisoner should receive his punishment--and
that punishment was--_to be deserted_; that is, to be sent on shore with
a day's food, where there was no means of obtaining support, so as to
die miserably of hunger. This was a punishment frequently resorted to
by the Dutch at that period, as will be seen by reading an account of
their voyages; but at the same time seldom, if ever, awarded to one of
so high a rank as that of commodore.

Philip immediately protested against it, and so did Krantz, although
they were both aware, that by so doing, they would make the admiral
their enemy; but the other captains, who viewed both of them with a
jealous eye, and considered them as interlopers and interfering with
their advancement, sided with the admiral. Notwithstanding this
majority, Philip thought it his duty to expostulate.

"You know well, admiral," said he, "that I joined in his condemnation
for a breach of discipline: but at the same time there was much in
extenuation. He committed a breach of discipline to save his ship's
company, but not an error in judgment, as y