The Phantom Ship

by Frederick Marryat

  CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.

  Tired out with the fatigue of the day before, Philip had laid himselfdown by Krantz and fallen asleep; early the next morning he was awakenedby the sound of the commandant's voice, and his long sword rattling asusual upon the pavement. He rose, and found the little man rating thesoldiers--threatening some with the dungeons, others with extra duty.Krantz was also on his feet before the commandant had finished hismorning's lecture. At last, perceiving them, in a stern voice heordered them to follow him into his apartment. They did so, and thecommandant, throwing himself upon his sofa, inquired whether they wereready to sign the required paper, or go back to the dungeon. Krantzreplied that they had been calculating chances and that they were inconsequence so perfectly convinced of the death of the captain, thatthey were willing to sign any paper to that effect; at which reply, thecommandant immediately became very gracious, and having called formaterials, he wrote out the document, which was duly subscribed to byKrantz and Philip. As soon as they had signed it, and he had it in hispossession, the little man was so pleased, that he requested them topartake of his breakfast.

  During the repast, he promised that they should leave the island by thefirst opportunity. Although Philip was taciturn, yet, as Krantz madehimself very agreeable, the commandant invited them to dinner. Krantz,as they became more familiar, informed him that they had each a fewpieces of gold, and wished to be allowed a room where they could keeptheir table. Whether it was the want of society or the desire ofobtaining the gold, probably both, the commandant offered that theyshould join his table, and pay their proportion of the expenses; aproposal which was gladly acceded to. The terms were arranged, andKrantz insisted upon putting down the first week's payment in advance.From that moment the commandant was the best of friends with them, anddid nothing but caress them whom he had so politely shoved into adungeon below water. It was on the evening of the third day, as theywere smoking their Manilla cheroots that Krantz, perceiving thecommandant in a peculiarly good humour, ventured to ask him why he wasso anxious for a certificate of the captain's death; and in reply wasinformed, much to the astonishment of Philip, that Amine had agreed tomarry him upon his producing such a document.

  "Impossible!" cried Philip, starting from his seat.

  "Impossible, signor,--and why impossible?" replied the commandant,curling his mustachios with his fingers, with a surprised and angry air.

  "I should have said impossible too," interrupted Krantz, who perceivedthe consequences of Philip's indiscretion, "for had you seen,commandant, how that woman doated upon her husband, how she fondled him,you would with us have said, it was impossible that she could havetransferred her affections so soon; but women are women, and soldiershave a great advantage over other people; perhaps she has some excuse,commandant.--Here's your health, and success to you."

  "It is exactly what I would have said," added Philip, acting uponKrantz's plan: "but she has a great excuse, commandant, when I recollecther husband, and have you in my presence."

  Soothed with the flattery, the commandant replied, "Why, yes, they saymilitary men are very successful with the fair sex.--I presume it isbecause they look up to us for protections and where can they be betterassured of it, than with a man who wears a sword at his thigh?--Come,signors we will drink her health. Here's to the beautiful AmineVanderdecken."

  "To the beautiful Amine Vanderdecken!" cried Krantz, tossing off hiswine.

  "To the beautiful Amine Vanderdecken," followed Philip. "But,commandant, are you not afraid to trust her at Goa, where there are somany enticements for a woman, so many allurements held out for her sex?"

  "No, not in the least--I am convinced that she loves me--nay, betweenourselves, that she doats upon me."

  "Liar!" exclaimed Philip.

  "How, signor! is that addressed to me?" cried the commandant, seizinghis sword, which lay on the table.

  "No, no," replied Philip, recovering himself; "it was addressed to her.I have heard her swear to her husband, that she would exist for no otherbut him."

  "Ha! ha! Is that all?" replied the commandant; "my friend, you do notknow women."

  "No, nor is he very partial to them either," replied Krantz, who thenleant over to the commandant and whispered, "He is always so when youtalk of women. He was cruelly jilted once, and hates the whole sex."

  "Then we must be merciful to him," replied the little officer: "supposewe change the subject."

  When they repaired to their own room, Krantz pointed out to Philip thenecessity for his commanding his feelings, as otherwise they would againbe immured in the dungeon. Philip acknowledged his rashness, butpointed out to Krantz, that the circumstance of Amine having promised tomarry the commandant, if he procured certain intelligence of his death,was the cause of his irritation. "Can it be so? Is it possible thatshe can have been so false?" exclaimed Philip; "yet his anxiety toprocure that document seems to warrant the truth of his assertion."

  "I think, Philip, that in all probability it is true," replied Krantz,carelessly; "but of this you may be assured, that she has been placed ina situation of great peril, and has only done so to save herself foryour sake. When you meet, depend upon it she will fully prove to youthat necessity had compelled her to deceive him in that way and that ifshe had not done so, she would, by this time, have fallen a prey to hisviolence."

  "It may be so," replied Philip, gravely.

  "It is so, Philip, my life upon it. Do not for a moment harbour athought so injurious to one who lives but in your love. Suspect thatfond and devoted creature! I blush for you, Philip Vanderdecken."

  "You are right, and I beg her pardon for allowing such feelings orthoughts to have for one moment overpowered me," responded Philip; "butit is a hard case for a husband who loves as I do, to hear his wife'sname bandied about, and her character assailed by a contemptible wretchlike this commandant."

  "It is, I grant; but still I prefer even that to a dungeon," repliedKrantz, "and so, good night."

  For three weeks they remained in the fort, every day becoming moreintimate with the commandant, who often communicated with Krantz, whenPhilip was not present, turning the conversation upon his love for Amineand entering into a minute detail of all that had passed. Krantzperceived that he was right in his opinion, and that Amine had only beencajoling the commandant, that she might escape. But the time passedheavily away with Philip and Krantz, for no vessel made its appearance.

  "When shall I see her again?" soliloquised Philip one morning, as helolled over the parapet, in company with Krantz.

  "See who?" said the commandant, who happened to be at his elbow.

  Philip turned round and stammered something unintelligible.

  "We were talking of his sister, commandant," said Krantz, taking hisarm, and leading him away.--"Do not mention the subject to my friend,for it is a very painful one, and forms one reason why he is so inimicalto the sex. She was married to his intimate friend and ran away fromher husband: it was his only sister; and the disgrace broke his mother'sheart, and has made him miserable. Take no notice of it, I beg."

  "No, no, certainly not; I don't wonder at it: the honour of one's familyis a serious affair," replied the commandant.--"Poor young man, whatwith his sister's conduct, and the falsehood of his own intended, Idon't wonder at his being so grave and silent. Is he of good family,signor?"

  "One of the noblest in all Holland," replied Krantz;--"he is heir to alarge property, and independent by the fortune of his mother; but thesetwo unfortunate events induced him to quit the States secretly, and heembarked for these countries that he might forget his grief."

  "One of the noblest families?" replied the commandant;--"then he isunder an assumed name--Jacob Vancheat is not his true name, of course."

  "Oh, no," replied Krantz;--"that it is not, I assure you; but my lipsare sealed on that point."

  "Of course, except to a friend who can keep a secret. I will not ask itnow. So he is really noble?"

  "One of the highest families
in the country, possessing great wealth andinfluence--allied to the Spanish nobility by marriage."

  "Indeed!" rejoined the commandant, musing--"I dare say he knows many ofthe Portuguese as well."

  "No doubt of it, they are all more or less connected."

  "He must prove to you a most valuable friend, Signor Richter."

  "I consider myself provided for for life as soon as we return home. Heis of a very grateful, generous disposition, as he would prove to you,should you ever fall in with him."

  "I have no doubt of it; and I can assure you that I am heartily tired ofstaying in this country. Here I shall remain probably for two yearsmore before I am relieved, and then shall have to join my regiment atGoa, and not be able to obtain leave to return home without resigning mycommission. But he is coming this way."

  After this conversation with Krantz, the alteration in the manner of thePortuguese commandant, who had the highest respect for nobility, wasmost marked. He treated Philip with a respect which was observable toall in the fort; and which was, until Krantz had explained the cause, asource of astonishment to Philip himself. The commandant oftenintroduced the subject to Krantz, and sounded him as to whether hisconduct towards Philip had been such as to have made a favourableimpression; for the little man now hoped, that through such aninfluential channel, he might reap some benefit.

  Some days after this conversation, as they were all three seated attable, a corporal entered, and saluting the commandant, informed himthat a Dutch sailor had arrived at fort, and wished to know whether heshould be admitted. Both Philip and Krantz turned pale at thiscommunication--they had a presentiment of evil but they said nothing.The sailor was ordered in, and in a few minutes, who should make hisappearance but their tormentor, the one-eyed Schriften. On perceivingPhilip and Krantz seated at the table, he immediately exclaimed, "Oh!Captain Philip Vanderdecken, and my good friend Mynheer Krantz, firstmate of the good ship Utrecht, I am glad to meet you again."

  "Captain Philip Vanderdecken!" roared the commandant, as he sprung fromhis chair.

  "Yes, that is my captain, Mynheer Philip Vanderdecken and that is myfirst mate, Mynheer Krantz; both of the good ship Utrecht: we werewrecked together, were we not. Mynheer? He! he!"

  "Sangue de--Vanderdecken! the husband! Corpo del diavolo--is itpossible!" cried the commandant, panting for breath, as he seized hislong sword with both hands and clenched it with fury.--"What, then, Ihave been deceived, cajoled, laughed at!" Then, after a pause--theveins of his forehead distending so as almost to burst--he continued,with a suppressed voice, "Most noble sir, I thank you; but now it is myturn.--What, ho! there! Corporal--men, here, instantly--quick!"

  Philip and Krantz felt convinced that all denial was useless. Philipfolded his arms and made no reply. Krantz merely observed, "A littlereflection will prove to you, sir, that this indignation is notwarranted."

  "Not warranted!" rejoined the commandant with a sneer, "you havedeceived me; but you are caught in your own trap. I have the papersigned, which I shall not fail to make use of. _You_ are dead, youknow, Captain; I have your own hand to it, and your wife will be glad tobelieve it."

  "She has deceived you, commandant, to get out of your power, nothingmore," said Vanderdecken. "She would spurn a contemptible witheredwretch like yourself, were she as free as the wind."

  "Go on, go on; it will be my turn soon. Corporal, throw these two meninto the dungeon: a sentry at the door till further orders. Away withthem! Most noble sir, perhaps your influential friends in Holland andSpain will enable you to get out again."

  Philip and Krantz were led away by the soldiers, who were very muchsurprised at this change of treatment. Schriften followed them; and asthey walked across the rampart to the stairs which led to their prison,Krantz, in his fury, burst from the soldiers, and bestowed a kick uponSchriften, which sent him several feet forward on his face.

  "That was a good one--he! he!" cried Schriften, smiling and looking atKrantz as he regained his legs.

  There was an eye, however, which met theirs with an intelligent glance,as they descended the stairs to the dungeon. It was that of the soldierPedro. It told them that there was one friend upon whom they couldrely, and who would spare no endeavour to assist them in their newdifficulty. It was a consolation to them both; a ray of hope whichcheered them as they once more descended the narrow steps, and heard theheavy key turned which again secured them in their dungeon.