nemies to the Portuguese, and so are
we. We belong to the island of Ternate--our king is at war with the
Portuguese, who are villains. Where are your companions? on which
island?"

"They are all dead," replied Philip. "May I ask you whether you have
fallen in with a woman, who was adrift on a part of the raft by herself:
or have you heard of her?"

"We have heard that a woman was picked up on the beach to the southward,
and carried away by the Tidore people to the Portuguese settlement, on
the supposition that she was a Portuguese."

"Then God be thanked, she is saved," cried Philip. "Merciful Heaven!
accept my thanks.--To Tidore you said?"

"Yes; we are at war with the Portuguese, we cannot take you there."

"No! but we shall meet again."

The person who accosted them was evidently of consequence. His dress
was to a certain degree Mahometan, but mixed up with Malay; he carried
arms in his girdle and a spear in his hand; his turban was of printed
chintz; and his deportment like most persons of rank in that country,
was courteous and dignified.

"We are now returning to Ternate, and will take you with us. Our king
will be pleased to receive any Hollanders, especially as you are enemies
to the Portuguese dogs. I forgot to tell you that we have one of your
companions with us in the boat; we picked him up at sea much exhausted,
but he is now doing well."

"Who can it be?" observed Krantz; "it must be some one belonging to some
other vessel."

"No," replied Philip, shuddering, "it must be Schriften."

"Then my eyes must behold him before I believe it," replied Krantz.

"Then believe your eyes," replied Philip, pointing to the form of
Schriften, who was now walking towards them.

"Mynheer Vanderdecken, glad to see you. Mynheer Krantz, I hope you are
well. How lucky that we should all be saved. He! he!"

"The ocean has then, indeed, given up its dead, as I requested," thought
Philip.

In the mean time, Schriften, without making any reference to the way in
which they had so unceremoniously parted company, addressed Krantz with
apparent good-humour, and some slight tinge of sarcasm. It was some
time before Krantz could rid himself of him.

"What think you of him, Krantz?"

"That he is a part of the whole, and has his destiny to fulfil as well
as you. He has his part to play in this wondrous mystery, and will
remain until it is finished. Think not of him. Recollect, your Amine
is safe."

"True