In the meantime the Commodore remained in irons, and many were the conjectures concerning his ultimate fate.  The power of life and death was known to be in the Admiral’s hands, but no one thought that such power would be exerted upon a delinquent of so high a grade.  The other captains kept aloof from Philip, and he knew little of what was the general idea.  Occasionally when on board of the Admiral’s ship, he ventured to bring up the question, but was immediately silenced; and feeling that he might injure the late Commodore (for whom he had a regard), he would risk nothing by importunity; and the fleet sailed for the Straits of Magellan, without anybody being aware of what might be the result of the court-martial.

It was about a fortnight after they had left the Falkland Islands, that they entered the Straits.  At first they had a leading wind which carried them half through, but this did not last, and they then had to contend not only against the wind, but against the current, and they daily lost ground.  The crews of the ships also began to sicken from fatigue and cold.  Whether the Admiral had before made up his mind, or whether, irritated by his fruitless endeavours to continue his voyage, it is impossible to say; but, after three weeks’ useless struggle against the wind and currents, he hove-to and ordered all the captains on board, when he proposed that the prisoner should receive his punishment—­and that punishment was—­to be deserted—­that is, to be sent on shore with a day’s food, where there was no means of obtaining support, so as to die miserably of hunger.  This was a punishment frequently resorted to by the Dutch at that period, as will be seen by reading an account of their voyages:  but, at the same time, seldom, if ever, awarded to one of so high a rank as that of Commodore.

Philip immediately protested against it, and so did Krantz, although they were both aware, that by so doing they would make the Admiral their enemy; but the other captains, who viewed both of them with a jealous eye, and considered them as interlopers and interfering with their advancement, sided with the Admiral.  Notwithstanding this majority, Philip thought it his duty to expostulate.

“You know well, Admiral,” said he, “that I joined in his condemnation for a breach of discipline:  but, at the same time, there was much in extenuation.  He committed a breach of discipline to save his ship’s company, but not an error in judgment, as you yourself proved, by taking the same measure to save your own men.  Do not, therefore, visit an offence of so doubtful a nature with such cruelty.  Let the Company decide the point when you send him home, which you can do so soon as you arrive in India.  He is sufficiently punished by losing his command:  to do what you propose will be ascribed to feelings of revenge more than to those of justice.  What success can we deserve if we commit an act of such cruelty; and how can we expect a merciful Providence to protect us from the winds and waves when we are thus barbarous towards each other?”