“No! no!” exclaimed the ship’s company of the Dort.  He shall not go on board.  We will stand by our Captain to the last.”

“Silence, men! silence!” cried Philip.  “You must be aware, sir,” said he to the officer, “that in the cruel punishment of that innocent young man, the Admiral has exceeded his powers:  and, much as I regret to see any symptoms of mutiny and insubordination, it must be remembered that, if those in command disobey the orders they have received, by exceeding them, they not only set the example, but give an excuse for those who otherwise would be bound to obey them, to do the same.  Tell the Admiral that his murder of that innocent man has determined me no longer to consider myself under his authority, and that I will hold myself, as well as him, answerable to the Company whom we serve, for our conduct.  I do not intend to go on board and put myself in his power, that he might gratify his resentment by my ignominious death.  It is a duty that I owe these men under my command to preserve my life, that I may, if possible, preserve theirs in this strait; and you may also add, that a little reflection must point out to him that this is no time for us to war with, but to assist each other with all our energies.  We are here, ship-wrecked on a barren coast, with provisions insufficient for any lengthened stay, no prospect of succour, and little of escape.  As the Commodore truly prophesied, many more are likely to perish as well as him—­and even the Admiral himself may be of the number.  I shall wait his answer; if he choose to lay aside all animosity, and refer our conduct to a higher tribunal, I am willing to join with him in rendering that assistance to each other which our situation requires—­if not, you must perceive, and of course will tell him, that I have those with me who will defend me against any attempt at force.  You have my answer, sir, and may go on board.”

The officer went to the gangway, but found that none of his crew, except the bowman, were in the boat; they had gone up to gain from the men of the Dort the true history of what they had but imperfectly heard:  and, before they were summoned to return, had received full intelligence.  They coincided with the seamen of the Dort, that the appearance of the Phantom Ship, which had occasioned their present disaster, was a judgment upon the Admiral, for his conduct in having so cruelly deserted the poor Commodore.

Upon the return of the officer with Philip’s answer, the rage of the Admiral was beyond all bounds.  He ordered the guns aft, which would bear upon the Dort, to be double-shotted, and fired into her; but Krantz pointed out to him that they could not bring more guns to bear upon the Dort, in their present situation, than the Dort could bring to bear upon them; that their superior force was thus neutralised, and that no advantage could result from taking such a step.  The Admiral immediately put