ast, the point
was decided by the captain, who directed the small skiff hanging astern
to be lowered down, and ordered both Philip and Schriften to get into
it. The seamen approved of this arrangement, as it satisfied both
parties. Philip made no objection; Schriften screamed and fought, but
he was tossed into the boat. There he remained trembling in the
stern-sheets, while Philip, who had seized the sculls, pulled away from
the vessel in the direction of the Phantom Ship.

CHAPTER FORTY TWO.

In a few minutes the vessel which Philip and Schriften had left was no
longer to be discerned through the thick haze; the Phantom Ship was
still in sight, but at a much greater distance from them than she was
before. Philip pulled hard towards her, but although hove to, she
appeared to increase her distance from the boat. For a short time he
paused on his oars, to regain his breath, when Schriften rose up and
took his seat in the stern-sheets of the boat. "You may pull and pull,
Philip Vanderdecken," observed Schriften; "but you will not gain that
ship--no, no, that cannot be--we may have a long cruise together, but
you will be as far from your object at the end of it, as you are now at
the commencement.--Why don't you throw me overboard again? You would be
all the lighter--He! he!"

"I threw you overboard in a state of phrenzy," replied Philip, "when you
attempted to force from me my relic."

"And have I not endeavoured to make others take it from you this very
day?--Have I not--He! he!"

"You have," rejoined Philip; "but I am now convinced that you are as
unhappy as myself, and that in what you are doing, you are only
following your destiny, as I am mine. Why and wherefore I cannot tell,
but we are both engaged in the same mystery;--if the success of my
endeavours depends upon guarding the relic, the success of yours depends
upon your obtaining it, and defeating my purpose by so doing. In this
matter we are both agents, and you have been, as far as my mission is
concerned, my most active enemy. But, Schriften, I have not forgotten,
and never will, that you kindly _did advise_ my poor Amine; that you
prophesied to her what would be her fate, if she did not listen to your
counsel; that you were no enemy of hers, although you have been and are
still mine. Although my enemy, for her sake I _forgive you_, and will
not attempt to harm you."

"You do then _forgive your enemy_, Philip Vanderdecken?" replied
Schrif