Mynheer Von Stroom was sitting in all the dignity of his office, and it being Sunday had put on his very best wig.  He was once more reading over the letter to the Company, relative to the bear, when Mynheer Kloots made his appearance, and informed him in a few words that they were in a situation of peculiar danger, and that in all probability the ship would be in pieces in less than half an hour.  At this alarming intelligence, Mynheer Von Stroom jumped up from his chair, and in his hurry and fear knocked down the candle which had just been lighted.

“In danger!  Mynheer Kloots!—­why, the water is smooth and the wind down!  My hat—­where is my hat and my cane?  I will go on deck.  Quick!  A light—­Mynheer Kloots, if you please to order a light to be brought; I can find nothing in the dark.  Mynheer Kloots, why do you not answer?  Mercy on me! he is gone and has left me.”

Mynheer Kloots had gone to fetch a light, and now returned with it.  Mynheer Von Stroom put on his hat, and walked out of the cabin.  The boats were down and the ship’s head had been turned round from the land; but it was now quite dark, and nothing was to be seen but the white line of foam created by the breakers as they dashed with an awful noise against the shore.

“Mynheer Kloots, if you please, I’ll leave the ship directly.  Let my boat come alongside—­I must have the largest boat for the Honourable Company’s service—­for the papers and myself.”

“I’m afraid not, Mynheer Von Stroom,” replied Kloots; “our boats will hardly hold the men as it is, and every man’s life is as valuable to himself as yours is to you.”

“But, Mynheer, I am the Company’s supercargo.  I order you—­I will have one—­refuse if you dare.”

“I dare, and do refuse,” replied the captain, taking his pipe out of his mouth.

“Well, well,” replied Mynheer Von Stroom, who now lost all presence of mind—­“we will, sir as soon as we arrive—­Lord help us!—­we are lost.  O Lord!  O Lord!” And here Mynheer Von Stroom, not knowing why, hurried down to the cabin, and in his haste tumbled over the bear Johannes, who crossed his path, and in his fall his hat and flowing wig parted company with his head.

“O mercy! where am I?  Help—­help here! for the Company’s honourable supercargo!”

“Cast off there in the boats, and come on board,” cried Mynheer Kloots; “we have no time to spare.  Quick now, Philip, put in the compass, the water, and the biscuit; we must leave her in five minutes.”

So appalling was the roar of the breakers, that it was with difficulty that the orders could be heard.  In the meantime Mynheer Von Stroom lay upon the deck, kicking, sprawling, and crying for help.

“There is a light breeze off the shore,” cried Philip, holding up his hand.

“There is, but I’m afraid it is too late.  Hand the things into the boats, and be cool, my men.  We have yet a chance of saving her, if the wind freshens.”