The Phantom Ship

ion arising from a renewal of those hopes and expectations which he had abandoned, once more dwells upon future prospects, and indulges in pleasing anticipations: we say, that if the reader can imagin

ag

ually he became more composed: and out of breath with the rapidity of his motion, he sat down upon a bank, and ther

s black. Philip sighed.-"I cannot read it now," tho

ped and looked at it till his vision failed. "I could imagine that it was the eye of God," thought Philip, "and

om a world of spirits. A small copse of brushwood, in advance of a grove of trees, was not far from where he stood. He walked to it, and s

d he; "it is my fate, and

nd that it contained the secret of one in judgment. He remembered that that one was his father; and that it was only in th

!" exclaimed Philip; "yon sun appears as if w

Vanderdecken. Calmly he broke the seal, which bore th

CATH

for mortal crimes has been permitted to inform me

hich I swore the fatal oath, kiss it in all humility, and shed one te

e undertaken, I know not. O Catherine, we have a son-but, no

NDERDE

father is even now IN LIVING JUDGMENT. And he points to me-to

ng on his knees, "you have not written these

ed nothing. He looked on the grass to see if it had fallen-but no, there was no letter, it had disappeared. Was it a visio

vote his days; and having done his duty, he will die in hope and peace. Heaven, that recorded my rash father's oath, now register his son's upon the same sacred cross, and may perjury on my par

sun went down, and twilight gradually disappeared; night had, for some time, shr

eturn to the cottage, that he might reflect over his plans; but although the men spoke in a low tone, his attention was soon arrested by the subject of their conversation, when he heard the name mentioned of

t," said one of them; "he has no

ther; "so, recollect before we go, it is perfe

rchase her, there's no ob

l you in conscience a

dred guilders,"

y share of the booty does not amount to so much,

m much mistaken if we don't turn more than two

y-is it agreed-shal

replied t

heart and soul. I loved that girl, and tried to get her,-I positively offered to marry her, but

replied

is later? In an hour or more the

eed, some one is sent for him.

ur, if we walk. Suppose we start in half an hour hence

put a new flint in my lock, and have my

used to

this ball to go through

eplied one of the others, "for he saved my life

l. All his thoughts were now to save the old doctor and his daughter from the danger which threatened them; and for a time he forgot his father, and the exciting revelations of the day. Although Philip had not been aware in what direction he had walked when he set off from

re called out, so as to be heard within. "Maiden, if your father is out, as I presume he must be, listen to what I have to say-I am Philip Vanderdecken. But now I overheard four wretches who have planned to murder your

hort time, but re

en your father's gold to him. Open the casement above, and listen to what I have to sa

window was unbarred, and the slight form of the fair daughter of

and what is it thou wouldst impart, but imperfectly he

t he had overheard, and concluded by begging

Baetens. The gold, I know, you value not; but think of thine own dear self-suffer me to enter the house, and think not for one mom

, said y

such was the name; he

, and may be yet away for many hours. Yet how can I open the door to you-at night-he is not at home-I a

ld not, maiden! You must not trifle wit

numbers? They are four to one-would soon ove

ather would not be left without them. I f

or those you did assail. I thank you-thank

nd but ill able to contend with four armed villains; but still, here will I re

be. Oh! sir-swear, swear by all that's holy, an

, maiden, than all

Poots. She stood with the candle in her right hand, the colour in her cheeks varying-now flushing red, and again deadly pale. Her left hand was down by

on-there is yet time to close the door against me: but for your own sake I entreat you not. Before the moon is up, the

imes was half extinguished by the wind-her symmetry of form and the gracefulness and singularity of her attire-were matter of astonishment to Philip. Her head was without covering, and her long hair fell in plaits behind her shoulders; her stature was rather under the m

his inmost thoughts; but there was a frankness and honesty in his bearing, and a sincerit

I feel that I

door was then clos

said Philip: "but tell me your name

," replied she, r

but I must not dally. What arms have yo

hat my father w

e attack is making, for there's a carbine loaded expressly for his head, and if they make him prisoner, they wi

um of her father, and was surrounded with shelves filled with bottles and boxes of drugs. In one

ointing to them, and laying on the table

m the table the pistol which Amine had laid there, and threw open the pan. It

s meant for

for a traitor, had o

e casement which you opened, but without a light in the room.

least I am not fearful; I must remain near you and

ed Philip; "you

when I can assist one who risks his life for me

will not be steady, if I know that you're in danger. But I mus

to be seen; he listened, but all was silent. The moon was just rising above the distant hill, but her light was dimmed by fleecy clouds, and Philip watched for a few minutes; at length he heard a whispering below. He looked out, a

can see them now, without risk. I thank them, for

and looked out of the window. She returned, a

fear nothing now but that my father m

ed stratagem. They knocked, and as there was no reply, they continued to knock louder and louder: not meeting with success they held another consultation, and the muzzle of a carb

tually commenced. He now levelled one of the carbines at the head of the robber nearest to the door, who was busy examining the effect which the discharge of the piece had made, and what further obstacles intervened. The aim was true, and the man fell dead, while the others started back with surprise at the un

yourself, Philip," sa

lip, thought he,

ssage. If the lock of the door is blown off, they may put their arms in perhaps, and remove the bars. I do not t

," replied Phi

there will be but two to deal with, and they cannot watch the

hole where the lock was blown off, was working at the upper iron bar, which he could just reach. He presented his carbine, and was abo

rself," thought Phili

and then he flew up the stairs to ascertain the state of Amine. She was not at the ca

e. I thought by their firing that yo

your fire, and you be hurt; so I went to the side of the casement and pushed out on a

courage and such coolness in one so young and

red people brave, then?

osing time. I must to the door again.

d the door he heard at a distance the voice of Mynheer Poots. Amine, who a

e unbarred the door, "there are but

sed his knife to plunge it into his body, when the ball of the carbine whizzed through his head. The last of the robbers closed with Philip, an

is money-for to do him justice he did love her best-had lent him wings; he forgot that he was a feeble old man and without arms; all he thought of was to gain his habitation. On he

Mynheer Poots, whom he raised up in his arms, and carried into the house as if he were

Mynheer Poots w

laimed he-"my daug

ather, and safe

and staring. "Yes, it is even so-and my money-my m

safe, f

uite safe-are you sur

erceive, quite safe-thanks to one

ip Vanderdecken-he owes me three guilders and a half, a

d, at the risk

es, the whole of it; but-the phial is of no use

ad obscured her, was now high in the heavens, shining bright, and he could distinguish clearly. The two men lying across the threshold of the door were quite dead. The others, who had seized upon Mynheer Poots, were still alive, but one was expiring and t

have saved my dear child, and my money-that is little, v

t time since he fell in with the robbers, recalled to h

muttered he, with an invo

quiringly in Philip's face. "O, how much have

I talked about my money because I have so little, and I cannot afford to lose it; but y

to pay you, and will keep my word. I have plenty of money-

ers!" exclaimed Poots. "Poo

"that I have thousands of guilders: you

you said so to my f

u have so much, and

erde

her father's lips, and the

ime that we retire. You must l

u may both to bed in safety. It is indeed time that you retire-good-night, M

e, extending her hand,

tered the old man, as Philip