“Yes, love, it is; but—­”

“O yes, I know it is your duty, and you must go,” replied Amine, burying her face in his bosom.

The next day Philip parted from his wife, who behaved with more fortitude than on their first separation. “All were lost, but he was saved,” thought Amine.  “I feel that he will return to me.  God of Heaven, thy will be done!”

Philip soon arrived at Amsterdam; and having purchased many things which he thought might be advantageous to him in case of accident, to which he now looked forward as almost certain, he embarked on board the Batavia, which was lying at single anchor, and ready for sea.

Chapter XII

Philip had not been long on board, ere he found that they were not likely to have a very comfortable passage; for the Batavia was chartered to convey a large detachment of troops to Ceylon and Java, for the purpose of recruiting and strengthening the Company’s forces at those places.  She was to quit the fleet off Madagascar, and run direct for the Island of Java; the number of soldiers on board being presumed sufficient to insure the ship against any attack or accidents from pirates or enemies’ cruisers.  The Batavia, moreover, mounted thirty guns, and had a crew of seventy-five men.  Besides military stores, which formed the principal part of her cargo, she had on board a large quantity of specie for the Indian market.  The detachment of soldiers was embarking when Philip went on board, and in a few minutes the decks were so crowded that it was hardly possible to move.  Philip, who had not yet spoken to the captain, found out the first mate, and immediately entered upon his duty, with which, from his close application to it during his former voyage and passage home, he was much better acquainted than might have been imagined.

In a short time all traces of hurry and confusion began to disappear, the baggage of the troops was stowed away, and the soldiers having been told off in parties, and stationed with their messing utensils between the guns of the main deck, room was thus afforded for working the ship.  Philip showed great activity as well as method in the arrangements proposed, and the captain, during a pause in his own arduous duties, said to him—­

“I thought you were taking it very easy, Mr Vanderdecken, in not joining the ship before, but, now you are on board, you are making up for lost time.  You have done more during the forenoon than I could have expected.  I am glad that you are come, though very sorry you were not here when we were stowing the hold, which, I am afraid, is not arranged quite so well as it might be.  Mynheer Struys, the first mate, has had more to do than he could well give attention to.”

“I am sorry that I should not have been here, sir,” replied Philip; “but I came as soon as the Company sent me word.”

“Yes, and as they know that you are a married man, and do not forget that you are a great shareholder, they would not trouble you too soon.  I presume you will have the command of a vessel next voyage.  In fact, you are certain of it, with the capital you have invested in their funds.  I had a conversation with one of the senior accountants on the subject this very morning.”