ten, mournfully, "for such I acknowledge myself to be."

"I do, with _all my heart, with all my soul_," replied Philip.

"Then have you conquered me, Philip Vanderdecken; you have now made me
your friend, and your wishes are about to be accomplished. You would
know who I am. Listen:--When your father, defying the Almighty's will,
in his rage took my life, he was vouchsafed a chance of his doom being
cancelled, through the merits of his Son. I had also my appeal, which
was for _vengeance_; it was granted that I should remain on earth, and
thwart your will. That as long as we were enemies, you should not
succeed; but that when you had conformed to the highest attribute of
Christianity, proved on the holy cross, that of _forgiving your enemy_,
your task should be fulfilled. Philip Vanderdecken, you have forgiven
your enemy, and both our destinies are now accomplished."

As Schriften spoke, Philip's eyes were fixed upon him. He extended his
hand to Philip--it was taken; and as it was pressed, the form of the
pilot wasted as it were into the air, and Philip found himself alone.

"Father of Mercy, I thank thee," said Philip, "that my task is done, and
that I again may meet my Amine."

Philip then pulled towards the Phantom Ship, and found that she no
longer appeared to leave; on the contrary, every minute he was nearer
and nearer and at last, he threw in his oars, climbed up her sides and
gained her deck.

The crew of the vessel crowded round him.

"Your captain," said Philip; "I must speak with your captain."

"Who shall I say, sir?" demanded one, who appeared to be the first mate.

"Who?" replied Philip: "tell him his son would speak to him, his son,
Philip Vanderdecken."

Shouts of laughter from the crew followed this answer of Philip's; and
the mate, as soon as they ceased, observed with a smile.

"You forget, sir, perhaps you would say his father."

"Tell him his son, if you please," replied Philip; "take no note of grey
hairs."

"Well, sir, here he is coming forward," replied the mate, stepping aside
and pointing to the captain.

"What is all this?" inquired the captain.

"Are you Philip Vanderdecken, the captain of this vessel?"

"I am, sir," replied the other.

"You appear not to know me! But how can you? you saw me but when I was
only three years old; yet may you remember a letter which you gave to
your wife."

"Ha!" replied the captain; "and who, then, are you?"

"Time has stopped with