them; and, having good way on the two vessels, they then rounded to so as to get on the other tack, and bring the Spaniard to leeward.  This gave them a manifest advantage, and soon terminated the conflict.  The smoke and flames were beat back on the Spanish vessel—­the fire which had communicated to the Dort was extinguished—­the Spaniards were no longer able to prosecute their endeavours to fasten the two vessels together, and retreated to within the bulwarks of their own vessel; and, after great exertions, the Dort was disengaged, and forged ahead of her opponent, who was soon enveloped in a sheet of flame.  The corvette remained a few cables’ length to windward, occasionally firing a gun.  Philip poured in a broadside, and she hauled down her colours.  The action might now be considered at an end, and the object was to save the crew of the burning frigate.  The boats of the Dort were hoisted out, but only two of them could swim.  One of them was immediately despatched to the corvette, with orders for her to send all her boats to the assistance of the frigate, which was done, and the major part of the surviving crew were saved.  For two hours the guns of the frigate, as they were heated by the flames, discharged themselves; and then, the fire having communicated to the magazine, she blew up, and the remainder of her hull sank slowly and disappeared.  Among the prisoners in the uniform of the Spanish service Philip perceived the two pretended passengers, this proving the correctness of the negro’s statement.  The two men-of-war had been sent out of Lima on purpose to intercept him, anticipating, with such a preponderating force, an easy victory.  After some consultation with Krantz, Philip agreed that, as the corvette was in such a crippled state, and the nations were not actually at war, it would be advisable to release her with all the prisoners.  This was done, and the Dort again made sail for Batavia, and anchored in the roads three weeks after the combat had taken place.  He found the remainder of the fleet, which had been despatched before them, and had arrived there some weeks, had taken in their cargoes, and were ready to sail for Holland.  Philip wrote his despatches, in which he communicated to the directors the events of the voyage; and then went on shore, to reside at the house of the merchant who had formerly received him, until the Dort could be freighted for her voyage home.

Chapter XX

We must return to Amine, who is seated on the mossy bank where she and Philip conversed when they were interrupted by Schriften the pilot.  She is in deep thought, with her eyes cast down, as if trying to recall the past.  “Alas! for my mother’s power,” exclaimed she; “but it is gone—­gone for ever!  This torment and suspense I cannot bear—­those foolish priests too!” And Amine rose from the bank and walked towards her cottage.