the boat, those on board the ship gathered in the line until the boat
was safely moored under her quarter. No words were exchanged, until the
ladies, first, and the seamen next, were taken on board: the fact of
their being wrecked and in distress being too apparent to require
questioning. The valuables in the boat were quickly transferred to the
ship, and the little craft which had proved an ark of safety to the
adventurers, was then cut adrift, and soon lay a mere speck upon the
waters, unguided and alone.

As the boat drifted for a moment astern of the vessel before the party
were taken on board, the mate rend her name on the stern in golden
letters, "The Sea Witch." The foremast hands who had been saved from
the wreck soon mingled with the crew on the forecastle of the "Sea
Witch," and told their story there, while the mate and the ladies were
received in the most hospitable manner in the cabin, where the captain
endeavored to offer them every comfort the ship afforded, and to place
every resource entirely at their command.

Mrs. Huntington and her daughter were at first too tearful and full of
gratitude for their preservation to converse, and soon took advantage of
the kind offer which placed the captain's private apartments entirely at
their service, while the mate explained their adventures in detail, not
forgetting the phantom ship which passed them in the gale, and which had
caused such consternation on board the wrecked Indiaman. But his story
in this particular was unfortunately spoiled, when Captain Ratlin told
him positively that he was at that moment on board the very craft which
he had designated as the Flying Dutchman. A remark that for a moment
puzzled the honest seaman and led him to look suspiciously about him;
but a few corroborating remarks soon placed the subject at rest in even
the mate's credulous mind.