the fitting
and loading of the vessel, assisted by his favourite Krantz, who served
in her as first mate. Every convenience and comfort that Philip could
think of was prepared for Amine; and in the month of May he started with
orders to stop at Gambroon and Ceylon, run down the Straits of Sumatra,
and from thence to force his way into the China seas, the Company having
every reason to expect from the Portuguese the most determined
opposition to the attempt. His ship's company was numerous, and he had
a small detachment of soldiers on board to assist the supercargo, who
carried out many thousand dollars to make purchases at ports in China,
where their goods might not be appreciated. Every care had been taken
in the equipment of the vessel, which was perhaps the finest, the best
manned, and freighted with the most valuable cargo, which had ever been
sent out by the India Company.

The Utrecht sailed with a flowing sheet, and was soon clear the English
Channel; the voyage promised to be auspicious, favouring gales bore them
without accident to within a few hundred miles of the Cape of Good Hope,
when, for the first time, they were becalmed. Amine was delighted: in
the evenings she would pace the deck with Philip; then all was silent,
except the splash of the wave as it washed against the side of the
vessel--all was in repose and beauty, as the bright southern
constellations sparkled over their heads.

"Whose destinies can be in these stars, which appear not to those who
inhabit the northern regions?" said Amine, as she cast her eyes above,
and watched them in their brightness; "and what does that falling meteor
portend? what causes its rapid descent from heaven?"

"Do you then put faith in stars, Amine?"

"In Araby we do; and why not? They were not spread over the sky to give
light--for what then?"

"To beautify the world. They have their uses, too."

"Then you agree with me--they have their uses, and the destinies of men
are there concealed. My mother was one of those who could read them
well. Alas! for me they are a sealed book."

"Is it not better so, Amine?"

"Better!--say better to grovel on this earth with our selfish, humbled
race, wandering in mystery and awe, and doubt, when we can communicate
with the intelligences above! Does not the soul leap at her admission
to confer with superior powers? Does not the proud heart bound at the
feeling that its owner is one of those more gifted than the usual