The Phantom Ship

ons from the captain of the vessel with whom he had engaged to sail. Strange as it may appear, from the first day which put him in possession of his Amine

was careful not to revert to a topic which would cloud the brow of her adored husband. Once, indeed, or twice, had old Poots raised the question of Philip's departure, but the indignant frown and the imperious command of Amine (who knew too well the sordid motives which actuate

nth of October, there

e door. As this precau

mmons, "I would spe

stranger, in a half-wh

iar personage-for he had but one; the right eye-lid was closed, and the ball within had evidently wasted away; but his left eye was, for the size of his face and head, of unusual dimensions, very protuberant, clear and watery, and most unpleasant to look upon, being relieved by no fringe of eyelash either above or below it. So remarkable was the feature, that when you looked at the man, you saw his eye and looked at nothing else. It was not a man with one eye, but one eye with a man attached to it: the body was but the tower of the lighthouse, of no further value, and commanding no further attention, than does the structure which hold

s recollection, and he felt that there was a summons from his short existence of enjoyment and repose to a life of future activity, danger, and suffering. What peculiarly struck Philip was, that when the little man sat beside him, a sensation of sudden cold ran through his whole frame. The colour fled

! he!-Philip Vanderdeck

ied Philip, in a

as a sort of subdued scream, the notes of which so

and looking at the buffets-"he! he! from comfort, and from this also," cried he, stamping his foot on the floor as he rose from the sofa-"from terra firma-he

but Amine, who read his thoughts, folded her arms as she stood be

a, death will have his due. If death stare him in the face, the che

he part of one so young and beautiful; and then fixing his eye upon the silver

lip; "but does that concern yo

for preparation-only seven da

from the sofa. "You may tell your captain that I s

Amine, "and our firs

fer you refreshmen

ing a reply to Amine. Philip nodded his head, the little man turned

ne-eyed messenger, an appearance as if he knew more than others, which awed and confused both Philip and herself. Amine wept not, but she covered her face with her hands as Philip, with no steady pace, walked up and down the small room. Again, wit

ssession. He sat down by the side of his Amine, and clasped her in his arms. They remained silent. They knew too well each other's thoughts; and, excruciating as was the effort, they

n wound round her husband, she first put his hand to her heart

ilip! Did you not feel chilled to death w

t as Amine, but did not wish to

an envious outcast of society-debarred from domestic happiness, from the smiles of the other sex; for what woman could smile upon such a creature? His bile raised at so much beauty in the

your wife, Philip, I feel less courage than I did when I gave my willing hand. I knew not then what would be the extent of my loss; but fear not, much as I feel here," continued

in my own courage, or in my selection of a wife," replied Phi

ng from her seat. "The first pang is over. I fee

when, after a few mo

short wee

d he; "it would have been long enough. He

rs. But, no, Philip, your Amine knows her duty better. You must go like some knight of old to perilous encounter, perhaps to death; but Amine will arm you, and show her love by closing carefully each rivet to protect you in your peril, and will see you depart full of hope and confidence, anticipating your return. A week is not to

e; and, after all, we kn

as so potent, that

aration your love must

nce of Mynheer Poots, who, struck with the alteration in Amine's r

fore," replied Philip; "I am about to

ill sail i

ed to suppress, before Amine and her husband, the joy which he felt at Ph

ery bad ne

mine or Philip, who qui

e time, he would almost resolve to remain, and then at others, as he took the relic from his bosom and remembered his vow registered upon it, he was nearly as anxious to depart. Amine, too, as she fell asleep in her husband's arms, would count the few hours left them; or she would shudder, as she lay awake and the wind howled, at the prospect of what Philip would have to encounter. It was a long week to both

may deceive me-return you may, but not in life. In this room I shall await you; on this sofa, removed to its former station, I shall sit; and if you cannot appear to me alive, O refuse me not, if it be possible, to appear to me when dead. I shall fear no storm, no bursting o

but, Amine," and Philip's lips trembled, "I cannot-merci

ature could no longer hold up against her excess of feeling-she fell into his arms, and lay mot

r upon the sofa; "it is better that it shou

oom, Philip caught up his hat, imprinted one more fervent kiss upon her forehead, bur