Perhaps there is nothing more trying to the seaman’s feelings, than being unexpectedly forced to recommence another series of trials, at the very time when they anticipate repose from the former; yet, how often does this happen!  Philip was melancholy.  “It is my destiny,” thought he, using the words of Amine, “and why should I not submit?” Krantz was furious, and the seamen discontented and mutinous—­but it was useless.  Might is right on the vast ocean, where there is no appeal—­no trial or injunction to be obtained.

But hard as their case appeared to them, the Admiral was fully justified in his proceeding.  His ships were almost unmanageable with the few hands who could still perform their duty; and this small increase of physical power might be the means of saving hundreds who lay helpless in their hammocks.  In his own vessel, the Lion, which was manned with two hundred and fifty men, when she sailed from Amsterdam, there were not more than seventy capable of doing duty; and the other ships had suffered in proportion.

The first captain of the Lion was dead, the second captain in his hammock, and the Admiral had no one to assist him but the mates of the vessel, some of whom crawled up to their duty more dead than alive.  The ship of the second in command, the Dort, was even in a more deplorable plight.  The Commodore was dead; the first captain was still doing his duty; but he had but one more officer capable of remaining on deck.

The Admiral sent for Philip into his cabin, and having heard his narrative of the loss of the Vrow Katerina, he ordered him to go on board of the Commodore’s ship as captain, giving the rank of Commodore to the captain at present on board of her; Krantz was retained on board his own vessel, as second captain; for, by Philip’s narrative, the Admiral perceived at once that they were both good officers and brave men.

Chapter XVIII

The fleet under Admiral Rymelandt’s command was ordered to proceed to the East Indies by the western route, through the Straits of Magellan into the Pacific Ocean—­it being still imagined, notwithstanding previous failures, that this route offered facilities which might shorten the passage of the Spice Islands.

The vessels composing the fleet were the Lion of forty-four guns, bearing the Admiral’s flag; the Dort of thirty-six guns, with the Commodore’s pendant—­to which Philip was appointed; the Zuyder Zee of twenty; the Young Frau of twelve, and a ketch of four guns, called the Schevelling.

The crew of the Vrow Katerina were divided between the two larger vessels; the others, being smaller, were easier worked with fewer hands.  Every arrangement having been made, the boats were hoisted up, and the ships made sail.  For ten days they were baffled by light winds, and the victims to the scurvy increased considerably on board of Philip’s vessel.  Many died and were thrown overboard, and others were carried down to their hammocks.