and piercing—­the whole line of the coast one mass of barren rocks, without the slightest appearance of vegetation; the inland part of the country presented an equally sombre appearance, and the higher points were capped with snow, although it was not yet the winter season.  Sweeping the coast with his eye, Philip perceived, not four miles to leeward of them (so little progress had they made), the spot where they had deserted the Commodore.

“Surely this has been a judgment on him for his cruelty,” thought Philip, “and the prophecy of poor Avenhorn will come true—­more bones than his will bleach on those rocks.”  Philip turned round again to where the Admiral’s ship was on shore, and started back, as he beheld a sight even more dreadful than all that he had viewed—­the body of Vander Hagen, the officer sent on board of the Admiral, hanging at the main-yard-arm.  “My God! is it possible?” exclaimed Philip, stamping with sorrow and indignation.

His boat was returning on board, and Philip awaited it with impatience.  The men hastened up the side, and breathlessly informed Philip that the Admiral, as soon as he had heard the Lieutenant’s report, and his acknowledgment that he was officer of the watch, had ordered him to be hung, and that he had sent them back with a summons for him to repair on board immediately, and that they had seen another rope preparing at the other yard-arm.

“But not for you, sir,” cried the men; “that shall never be—­you shall not go on board—­and we will defend you with our lives.”

The whole ship’s company joined in this resolution, and expressed their determination to resist the Admiral.  Philip thanked them kindly—­stated his intention of not going on board, and requested that they would remain quiet, until it was ascertained what steps the Admiral might take.  He then went down to his cabin, to reflect upon what plan he should pursue.  As he looked out of the stern-windows, and perceived the body of the young man still swinging in the wind, he almost wished that he was in his place, for then there would be an end to his wayward fate:  but he thought of Amine, and felt that, for her, he wished to live.  That the Phantom Ship should have decoyed him to destruction was also a source of much painful feeling, and Philip meditated, with his hands pressed to his temples.  “It is my destiny,” thought he at last, “and the will of Heaven must be done:  we could not have been so deceived if Heaven had not permitted it.”  And then his thoughts reverted to his present situation.

That the Admiral had exceeded his powers in taking the life of the officer was undeniable, as, although his instructions gave him power of life and death, still it was only to be decided by the sentence of the court-martial held by the captains commanding the vessels of the fleet; he therefore felt himself justified in resistance.  But Philip was troubled with the idea that such resistance might lead to much bloodshed; and he was still debating how to act, when they reported to him that there was a boat coming from the Admiral’s ship.  Philip went upon deck to receive the officer, who stated that it was the Admiral’s order that he should immediately come on board, and that he must consider himself now under arrest, and deliver up his sword.