Category: Historical Novels

The Phantom Ship

_THE PHANTOM SHIP_ is the most notable of the three novels constructed by Marryat on an historic basis, and like its predecessor in the same category, _Snarleyyow_, depends largely for its interest on the element of _diablerie_, which is very skilfully manipulated. Here, howev...

Chapters

40. Chapter 40

Scarcely had the soldiers performed their task, and thrown down their shovels, when they commenced an altercation. It appeared that this money was to be again the cause of slaug...

19. Chapter 19

The fleet under Admiral Rymelandt's command was ordered to proceed to the East Indies by the western route, through the Straits of Magellan into the Pacific Ocean--it being stil...

12. Chapter 12

It need hardly be observed, that Philip made all possible haste to his own little cottage, which contained all that he valued in this world. He promised to himself some months o...

22. Chapter 22

The cargo of the _Dort_ was soon ready, and Philip sailed and arrived at Amsterdam without any further adventure. That he reached his cottage, and was received with delight by A...

13. Chapter 13

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 tro...

11. Chapter 11

The sudden gloom which had succeeded to the pale light had the effect of rendering every object still more indistinct to the astonished crew of the _Ter Schilling_. For a moment...

9. Chapter 9

Before we follow Philip Vanderdecken in his venturous career, it will be necessary to refresh the memory of our readers by a succinct recapitulation of the circumstances that ha...

5. Chapter 5

If the reader can imagine the feelings of a man who, sentenced to death, and having resigned himself to his fate, finds himself unexpectedly reprieved; who, having recomposed hi...

24. Chapter 24

"I have then seen him," said Philip, after he had lain down on the sofa in the cabin for some minutes to recover himself, while Amine bent over him. "I have at last seen him, Am...

18. Chapter 18

But their difficulties were not surmounted--the fire now had communicated to the main-deck, and burst out of the port-holes amidships--and the raft which had been forming alongs...

2. Chapter 2

About the middle of the seventeenth century, in the outskirts of the small but fortified town of Terneuse, situated on the right bank of the Scheldt, and nearly opposite to the...

10. Chapter 10

We must allow the Indian fleet to pursue its way to the Cape with every variety of wind and weather. Some had parted company; but the rendezvous was Table Bay, from which they w...

3. Chapter 3

Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by...

17. Chapter 17

We must leave Amine to her solitude, and follow the fortunes of Philip. The fleet had sailed with a flowing sheet, and bore gallantly down the Zuyder Zee; but they had not been...

14. Chapter 14

"Far be it from me to wish to annoy you, my son," said Father Mathias, as with difficulty he kept pace with the rapid strides of Philip, who was now within a quarter of a mile o...

15. Chapter 15

Six weeks had flown away, and Amine, restored to health, wandered over the country, hanging on the arm of her adored Philip, or nestled by his side in their comfortable home. Fa...

41. Chapter 41

Although to-morrow was to end all Amine's hopes and fears--all her short happiness--her suspense and misery--yet Amine slept until her last slumber in this world was disturbed b...

31. Chapter 31

We must now again return to Philip and Krantz, who had a long conversation upon the strange reappearance of Schriften. All that they could agree upon was, that he should be care...

7. Chapter 7

"This, then, is the chamber which has so long been closed," said Amine, on entering it the next morning, long before Philip had awakened from the sound sleep produced by the wat...

16. Chapter 16

It was about three months after this conversation that Amine and Philip were again seated upon the mossy bank which we have mentioned, and which had become their favourite resor...

42. Chapter 42

Years have passed away since we related Amine's sufferings and cruel death; and now once more we bring Philip Vanderdecken on the scene. And during this time, where has he been?...

6. Chapter 6

Philip Vanderdecken sat down at the porch of the door; he swept his hair from his forehead, which he exposed to the fanning of the breeze; for the continued excitement of the la...

4. Chapter 4

The discovery of the beautiful daughter of Mynheer Poots had made a strong impression upon Philip Vanderdecken, and now he had another excitement to combine with those which alr...

27. Chapter 27

We must for a time return to Philip, and follow his strange destiny. A few hours after he had thrown the pilot into the sea they gained the shore, so long looked at with anxiety...

20. Chapter 20

It appeared as if their misfortunes were to cease, after the tragical death of the two commanders. In a few days, the _Dort_ had passed through the Straits of Magellan, and was...

34. Chapter 34

"That, much as he likes your wife, there is something which he likes quite as well--money. Now, as we know where all the treasure is concealed, I think he may be tempted to offe...

8. Chapter 8

It was not until late in the autumn that Philip was roused from his dream of love (for what, alas! is every enjoyment of this life but a dream?) by a summons from the captain of...

33. Chapter 33

Tired out with the fatigue of the day before, Philip had laid himself down by Krantz and fallen asleep; early the next morning he was awakened by the sound of the Commandant's v...

38. Chapter 38

A few hours after Amine had been in the dungeon, the jailors entered: without speaking to her they let down her soft silky hair, and cut it close off. Amine, with her lip curled...

32. Chapter 32

As every one descants upon the want of comfort in a prison, it is to be presumed that there are no very comfortable ones. Certainly that to which Philip and Krantz were ushered,...

21. Chapter 21

We must return to Amine, who is seated on the mossy bank where she and Philip conversed when they were interrupted by Schriften the pilot. She is in deep thought, with her eyes...

30. Chapter 30

Both Amine and Father Mathias started, and drew back with surprise at this unexpected meeting. Amine was the first to extend her hand; she had almost forgotten at the moment how...

28. Chapter 28

The raft was found to answer well; and although her progress through the water was not very rapid, she obeyed the helm and was under command. Both Philip and Krantz were very ca...

39. Chapter 39

We must now return to Philip and Krantz. When the latter retired from the presence of the Portuguese Commandant, he communicated to Philip what had taken place, and the fabulous...

35. Chapter 35

It was a bright morning when the Portuguese vessel on which Amine was on board entered into the bay and roadstead of Goa. Goa was then at its zenith--a proud, luxurious, superb,...

37. Chapter 37

Previous to continuing our narrative, it may be as well to give our readers some little insight into the nature, ceremonies, and regulations of the Inquisition; and in describin...

25. Chapter 25

It was not until the day had dawned that Philip opened his eyes, and discovered Krantz kneeling at his side; at first his thoughts were scattered and confused; he felt that some...

29. Chapter 29

When Amine again came to her senses, she found herself lying on the leaves of the palmetto, in a small hut. A hideous black child sat by her, brushing off the flies. Where was she?

43. Chapter 43

In a few minutes the vessel which Philip and Schriften had left was no longer to be discerned through the thick haze; the Phantom Ship was still in sight, but at a much greater...

23. Chapter 23

The _Utrecht_ sailed from Gambroon, touched at Ceylon, and proceeded on her voyage in the Eastern Seas. Schriften still remained on board, but since his last conversation with A...

36. Chapter 36

Amine had just returned from an afternoon's walk through the streets of Goa; she had made some purchases at different shops in the bazaar, and had brought them home under her ma...

26. Chapter 26

What pen could portray the feelings of the fond and doting Amine, when she first discovered that she was separated from her husband? In a state of bewilderment, she watched the...

1. Chapter 1

_THE PHANTOM SHIP_ is the most notable of the three novels constructed by Marryat on an historic basis, and like its predecessor in the same category, _Snarleyyow_, depends larg...