watched her, and that she smiled in her sleep, and murmured “Philip,” when suddenly he was awakened by some unusual movement.  Half-dreaming still, he thought that Schriften, the pilot, had in his sleep been attempting to gain his relic, had passed the chain over his head, and was removing quietly from underneath his neck the portion of the chain which, in his reclining posture, he lay upon.  Startled at the idea, he threw up his hand to seize the arm of the wretch, and found that he had really seized hold of Schriften, who was kneeling by him, and in possession of the chain and relic.  The struggle was short, the relic was recovered, and the pilot lay at the mercy of Philip, who held him down with his knee on his chest.  Philip replaced the relic on his bosom, and, excited to madness, rose from the body of the now breathless Schriften, caught it in his arms, and hurled it into the sea.

“Man or devil!  I care not which,” exclaimed Philip, breathless; “escape now, if you can!”

The struggle had already roused up Krantz and others, but not in time to prevent Philip from wreaking his vengeance upon Schriften.  In few words, he told Krantz what had passed; as for the men, they cared not; they laid their heads down again, and, satisfied that their money was safe, inquired no further.

Philip watched to see if Schriften would rise up again, and try to regain the raft; but he did not make his appearance above water, and Philip felt satisfied.

Chapter XXV

What pen could portray the feelings of the fond and doting Amine, when she first discovered that she was separated from her husband?  In a state of bewilderment, she watched the other raft as the distance between them increased.  At last the shades of night hid it from her aching eyes, and she dropped down in mute despair.

Gradually she recovered herself, and turning round, she exclaimed, “Who’s here?”

No answer.

“Who’s here?” cried she in a louder voice; “alone—­alone—­and Philip gone.  Mother, mother, look down upon your unhappy child!” and Amine frantically threw herself down so near to the edge of the raft, that her long hair, which had fallen down, floated on the wave.

“Ah me! where am I?” cried Amine, after remaining in a state of torpor for some hours.  The sun glared fiercely upon her, and dazzled her eyes as she opened them—­she cast them on the blue wave close by her, and beheld a large shark motionless by the side of the raft, waiting for his prey.  Recoiling from the edge, she started up.  She turned round, and beheld the raft vacant, and the truth flashed on her.  “Oh!  Philip, Philip!” cried she, “then it is true, and you are gone for ever!  I thought it was only a dream, I recollect all now.  Yes—­all—­all!” And Amine sank down again upon her cot, which had been placed in the centre of the raft, and remained motionless for some time.