Stories From Wagner - Story 10 The Flying Dutchman (Der Fliegende Holländer)

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Episode Transcript

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Story ten of Tales from Wagner byJay Walker mc spadden. This LibriVox recording
is in the public domain. Storyten The Flying Dutchmen der Fliegen der Hollande.
Have you ever seen a full riggedship? What a creature of mystery
and delight it is. As itrides at anchor, it seems to tell

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of distant shores and places far morewonderful than any we have ever seen.
Then, as it spreads its broadwhite wings, it seems a thing of
life, awaking out of sleep andeager to start again upon its travels.
What majesty and beauty are then displayedas it turns and breasts the open sea,

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rising and dipping as though in challengeto its ancient enemy. Our admiration
for the ship is only heightened whenwe remember that for century such craft as
this have plowed the waves. Theyhave discovered the uttermost ends of the earth.
They have made all men neighbors onewith another, sharing the fruits of
the tropics with the grain of thecolder zones. Ages before steam was put

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to use, sailing vessels much likethis of the present time were busy in
the service of man, and theywill continue to serve him so long as
men go down to the sea inships. Seamen, since the beginning of
time have been a race unto themselves, having their own mode of life,
customs and beliefs. They believe inlucky and unlucky days, signs, clouds,

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birds, and breezes. And socompletely are they at the mercy of
wind and wave that we cannot marvelgreatly at these superstitions. Above all,
they believe in an evil spirit ofthe sea, who delights to bring harm
to mariners, send adverse winds andwaves, and drag them down into the
depths of the ocean. This spirit, they say, can change a gentle

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breeze to a terrific gale in aninstant. He can cause vessels to sink
that have no leak. He canset strange lights ahead and thus lure a
crew to dangerous reefs. Terrible ishis wrath also if any sailor presumed to
defy him. How this wrath wasvisited upon one reckless seaman is the subject

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of our present tale. Many yearsago, a bold Dutch captain named Vanderdecken
sailed the Southern Ocean with a pickedcrew of hardy fellows for months. He
traded in various ports until he grewexceedingly prosperous. The hold of his ship
became so heavy with gold that thevessel set deep in the waves. Then

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Vanderdecken grew tired of his voyaging.He pictured to himself the joys of a
cozy little home, such as hisgold would buy, presided over by a
loving wife. So he set allsail round the Cape of Good Hope,
eager to reach his beloved Holland andbid the sea farewell. But the Cape
of Good Hope is ill named,so mariners say, and it proved ill

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hope for Vanderdecken. A furious stormarose, beating him directly in the face
and keeping his ship from rounding thepoint of land. Again and again.
He turned his prow in the teethof the gale and tried to tack against
it, but without success. Finally, he became enraged and swore a fearful

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oath that he would sail around thecape if it took him till doomsday.
The evil spirit heard this oath andlaughed maliciously. He resolved to hold the
captain to his word and keep himsailing the ocean until the end of the
world. So he cast a spellupon the whole crew, by which they
could not die, and their shipcould not sink. Year in and year

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out, they were compelled to sailwearily, without ever reaching their journey's end.
The ship grew crazy and worm eaten, but still never sprang a leak.
The sails were kept unharmed through magic. In the course of time,
they became red as blood, asthough all the life had been drawn from
the hearts of the ghostly mariners,who grew old and grizzled and shriveled.

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They came too long for death,but all in vain would they face the
gales with all sails set, orsteer straight upon the angry reefs. On
and on must they voyage? Andbut one ray of hope was left them.
Their captain, who alone kept hisyouthful look, was told that if
he could find a woman who wouldlove him and be faithful until death,

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the curse would be removed. Oncein every seven years, he was permitted
to land, but if he foundno one to become his wife, he
was obliged to set sail again uponhis weary voyage. Time after time,
Vanderdecken sought for the one who wouldsave him, but without success. His

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strange appearance, and the tales toldof his phantom ship, as it was
called daunted. Even the bravest allthe maiden shuddered when he approached. For
did not their fathers and sweethearts saythat of all ill omens, this black
ship, with its blood red sails, was the worst. It was always
met in a storm or before somegreat disaster. Sailors would cross themselves as

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they told how it would be metdriving furiously before a gale, and how
the spectral crew would hail them andask where they were, pretending to have
lost both chart and compass. Thenthey would ask leave to send a package
of messages and letters home by them, and without waiting for a reply,

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the ancient looking sailors would row overin a battered boat, caring not how
high the seas ran. After theyleft their letters and rowed back, the
phantom ship would plunge onward while thewind whistled through its rigging. The sailors
with whom the letters were left wouldperforce try to deliver them, for though

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it was deemed unlucky to take them, it was still more unlucky to keep
or destroy them. But no oneto whom they were addressed was ever found,
though often the old parish records wouldshow there had been people of that
name two hundred or maybe three hundredyears before. So the quest of the
phantom ship passed into a proverb,and many were the tales told of its

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captain. He was known far andwide as the Flying Dutchman, and in
the gloom of some gathering storm,seamen spoke of seeing his pale face peering
anxiously over the low prow of hisblack ship, seeking away around the Cape
of Good Hope, while at sunset, when the last rays tinged the dancing
ways with ruddy glory, the childrenon the strand would be shown the Flying

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Dutchman's blood red sail. At thetime when our story begins, a fierce
storm had been raging in the NorthSea. To escape its fury, a
stout Norwegian ship sailed hastily before thewind into the nearest port and cast anchor.
Its captain, a stout, weatherbeaten man, was provoked at having

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to do this, as he wasnearly home and anxious to get there and
greet his only daughter after a longvoyage. Daland was the captain's name,
and Sentta that of his daughter.She had been left motherless when very young,
and now lived quietly with her oldnurse while her father was away upon
his voyages. Santa was a quiet, dark eyed girl, given much to

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day dreams on account of her somewhatlonely life. She was devoted to her
father and believed in him implicitly.Daland was not a bad man, but
he had one great passion, andthat was for gold. His lifelong desire
was to be rich, and thisdesire led to his taking long voyages and
braving many dangers. Nevertheless, hismoney did not accumulate so fast as he

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wished. Does it ever do that? And Daland was often discontented. His
last voyage had been anything but asuccess. His ship had met one adverse
wind after another, and in twoheavy storms it had come so near sinking
that they were forced to throw overboardsome of the cargo. And now,
when they were within forty miles ofhome, another gale sent them scudding into

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the wrong harbor. It was hardluck, but sailor like they prepared to
make the best of it. Dalandallowed all the weary crew to go below
and get a good rest. Hehimself followed their example, leaving only one
man at the wheel. The airwas heavy, as it often is during
a thunderstorm, and the dark cloudsrolled fiercely across the sky, But within

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the bay the water was comparatively quiet, and the ship rode easily at her
anchor. The gentle motion and stillair were too much for the man on
lookout, and he also went tosleep, with his head leaning upon the
wheel. While he slept, thestorm burst again with increased fury just beyond

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in the open sea, and outof the teeth of the gale sped another
ship coming straight for the same harbor. The rising waves leaped high on all
sides of her low black hull,threatening to engulf her. But if you
could have seen the crew at work, you would have noticed that they paid
no heed to the tempest, exceptto shake their fists, perhaps in defiance

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of it. On they came thewind howling shrilly through the rigging and tugging
vainly at the bulging sails, andmarvelous to relate. Every one of these
sails was set as though it hadbeen a clear day, instead of a
time to scud with bare poles,and the sails were red as blood.

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Not until they had entered harbor andwere close alongside Dalin's ship did the crew
hurled sail or cast anchor. Soquickly and noiselessly was the canvas dropped that
the ship rowed at anchor before anyof the other crew were even aware of
their approach. Then a boat waslowered from the newcomer's side, and the

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captain entered it and was rowed ashore. He was a strange looking man,
with long black hair, heavy eyebrows, and a hunted expression about the eyes.
His skin was fair, despite hismany other evidences of long sailing,
and he had a certain air ofgentleness and sadness, which lent him an
attractive, almost handsome appearance. Hiscrew were even stranger in looks, for

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they all seemed to be old men, gray and withered, despite the vigorous
strokes with which they sent the longboatflying through the waves. As the boat
grated upon the sand, the captainbreathed a great sigh of relief and leaped
ashore without heating the shallow water betweenhim and dry land. He walked with
the stiffness of a man who haslong felt under his feet only the rolling

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decks of a ship. The firstrock he met, jutting out of the
beach, he fell upon his kneesand embraced out of very gladness to be
on firm ground. Then he mountedthe crag and looked landward. Seven long
years, he mused, thank Godthat I am permitted to set foot upon

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dry land once more. When willmy weary voyaging cease and I become free
of the fickle ocean? It was, as you have doubtless guessed, the
flying Dutchman home on another search forthe woman who would release him from his
spell. Just then his musings werecut short by a voice hailing him.
Skipper ahoy, it said Daland wasawakened out of his slumber and come on

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deck to find his helmsman asleep andthe stranger's ship anchored close by. He
was both startled and provoked, butseeing the captain on shore, he now
addressed him through a speaking trumpet.Whence come you? He asked, Seeing
the stranger turn and look at himfor answer, the Dutchman made a wide
sweep with his arms and then beckonedto Daland. Something in his manner so

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aroused the latter's curiosity that he ordereda boat lowered and rowed over to the
beach. My name is Daland,a skipper of Norway, he said,
whence and who are you? Iam a Dutchman and I have been around
the world since I last set foothere, answered the stranger in a low
voice. I should think you wouldbe glad to come ashore again, said

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Dalan. I am, for I'vehad a precious rough voyage of it.
Did you meet any storms? TheDutchman smiled. Nothing but storms, he
said, but my ship will weatherthe best of them. What cargo do
you carry, asked Daland, mindfulof his own unlucky experience. Oh weighty
enough. I've been trading in goldand precious stones, said the stranger indifferently.

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An eager look came into Daland's eyes. I should think you would hate
to throw over any of that,he said. There are a good many
things I value more highly, repliedthe other. I have known the time
when I would gladly give it allfor a little corner of dry land where
I might live in peace. AndI laughed, Dalan, leave my little

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corner and cruise around the world insearch of that same gold. It was
now the stranger's turn to become interested. Do you live near here? He
asked, Ay, just around thenext headland. There's a cozy hearthstone and
cheering cup awaiting me there, AndI should have been there now if it
had not been for this wretched storm. Perhaps it has blown you a little

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good luck, replied the Dutchman.That is, if you really care for
money. What do you mean justthis? I was in Earnest a while
ago when I said I would giveall my gold for a plot of dry
land. My heart is hungry fora bit of home life. And if
you will let me be your guestwhile we are ashore, I shall make
you a rich man. Do youmean that, said Alan, staring at

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him. I will pay you anadvance, said the stranger, and he
blew a shrill whistle to his crewand shouted out some orders in a strange
tongue. In answer, some ofthe curious looking sailors ran down into the
hold and came up again bearing aheavy chest, which they brought to the
strand and opened there before Dalan's greedyeyes. Lay revealed a glittering mass of

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precious stones and fine gold, richerthan anything of which he had ever dreamed.
His fingers twitched and he fairly gaspedwith amazement. Gorgeous, he exclaimed,
you must be the happiest man inthe world to have all that happy,
said the other, in a sadvoice, of what use is this
treasure if I have no treasure ofthe heart, no home, no wife,

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no family ties. For years Ihave wandered alone till my soul is
weary. And what I have longedfor it has been beyond the power of
this paltry stuff to supply. Andthe Dutchman snapped his fingers in contempt at
the chest. Daland, who isreally good at heart, was touched by
the stranger's words. Come home withme, he said, with or without

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reward, you shall have the bestmy modest table affords, and my daughter
Senta will cook and serve it withher own hands. Then you have a
daughter, asked the stranger, turningquickly, How old is she? She
has grown now, though I canscarcely think of her save as a little
girl. Winsome? Is she asall my neighbors say, and a better

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girl never lived? My will hasbeen her law ever since her mother died.
Harku Man, said the stranger,gripping his hand and speaking swiftly and
earnestly. You must judge me bywhat you see of me. But if
you will promise me your daughter's hand, provided I win her, all that
this chest contained shall be yours.Dalan looked at the stranger, keenly,

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clear cut face and noble bearing,told strongly in his favor. She is
my only child. The Norwegian answered, presently, But I promise to further
your suit as you are generous.You show me a good and noble heart.
Yes, I should be glad tosee you, my son in law,
and were your wealth not half asgreat, i'd not choose another.

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A glad smile broke over the wanderingseaman's face as he heard these words,
and as if in sympathy, thesun broke forth from the bank of clouds
in the western sky. The winddied down, and the waters grew calm.
See it is to be clear weatherafter all, he exclaimed. Yes,
we can make the home harbor bynightfall. Come, let us weigh

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anchor and hoist sail, said Dalandlead on, and I will follow you.
Presently, I have some sails tomend, replied the Dutchman. He
well knew that his ship's strange appearanceand red sails would arouse comments. And
if he entered the harbor before night, so be it, agreed Daland,
and he went on board ship andordered all sails set. Before a brisk,

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little breeze, his vessel scudded outof harbor. While the sailors,
delighted with the prospect of soon beingat home after their long rough voyage,
sang a rollicking song, ending witha shout Ho Ho, hallo Ho.
While her father's ship was nearing harbor. That afternoon, Santa was in the
midst of a merry group at herhome. Several of her girlfriends had come

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to pay her a visit, andaccording to the quaint Norwegian custom, they
had brought their spinning wheels with themso that they might not be idle during
the daylight hours. Now the wheelswhirred and the maidens chattered at a lively
rate. But strange to say,Santa was the idlest of the lot.
Her hands would fall into her lap, and her gaze would wander into space.

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She was indeed a lovely picture asshe sat thus, her great dark
eyes glowing, and the rich colorcoming and going in her cheek, called
up by the romantic visions. Shesaw what dreaming again? Senta exclaimed her
old nurse and housekeeper Maria, Enteringat one of these idle moments, you
are setting your visitors a fine example. And what if your father should come

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home and see you dawdling? ThusSanta flushed, smiled, and took up
her flax. The other girls laughedmischievously. You oughtn't to have told her
that old ballad, Maria, theysaid. Now she can't get her mind
off the flying Dutchman. She sitshere and gaze at his picture. By
the hour, there was indeed anold print supposed to be a likeness of

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the wandering seaman on the wall.It had been picked up with many other
curious things by Daland upon his travels, and Maria, who knew a ballad
telling of the dutchman's weary search fora wife, had recited it to them.
The story was just of the sortto attract Senta tis strange, She
murmured, as though speaking to herself. Strange that the poor flying Dutchman is

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doomed to sail on forever because hecan find no one who will love him
till death. Are we maidens?Then all so fickle and heartless. No,
we are not heartless at any rate, laughed one of the girls.
But who wants to wed the captainof a phantom ship that comes to port
only once in seven years, andwho will outlive you and marry someone else

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a hundred years from now, chimedin another. No, No, said
Santa. That would be because youdid not love him. But who could
love him a ghost like that,ugh, said a third I could,
exclaimed Santa, her fine eyes flashing. If I knew that I could save
him, I would devote myself tohim gladly. Oh Santa, what are

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you saying? Cried the girls ina chorus. You forget Eric, said
one. Eric was a young hunterwho lived in the mountains, and who
was devoted in his attentions to Senta. She had always liked him, having
grown up with him, but shehad not given him all her love.
No, I do not forget Eric, she said stoutly. But he is

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not the flying Dutchman, Nor doI want to be, exclaimed a hearty
voice, as Eric himself burst intothe room. What is this, I
hear, Senta, Be careful,or I shall grow jealous even of the
flying Dutchman. He greeted the visitors, and then continued, But I just
ran in to tell you that Isighted your father's ship rounding the headland,

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and back of it some distance isanother vessel. Doubtless your father is bringing
guests with him, so you hadbetter tell the good Maria to bestir herself.
Santa jumped up and clapped her handsat the news of her father's return.
Instantly the whole room was in confusion. The spinning wheels were quickly set
aside, and the maidens helped tobring the long table to the center of

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the room and set it for theexpected company. Then they hastily gathered up
their belongings and bade their hostess goodday, leaving her alone with Eric.
What was that I heard about theflying Dutchman, Senta, he asked,
in a tender voice. I wasjust expressing pity for his lonely lot.
She answered, doesn't my loneliness awakenany pity? Then you do not deserve

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so much sympathy, she said lightly. You are young and strong and well.
Almost any of the girls here todaywould show you some interest. But
the poor wandering seaman is compelled tosail on till doomsday because nobody cares.
Oh, come, come, Santa, you must be jesting, said the
hunter, growing pale. You surelycannot place this specter ahead of all of

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us flesh and blood people in yourregard. Why does the thought alarm you
so, she said evasively, becauseof a dream I had. It was
so real that I have been ableto think of nothing else all day.
Was it about him? Yes,it was about the flying Dutchman. I
dreamed that your father came home fromsea, bringing with him a mysterious stranger,

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whom no one knew anything about,except that he was very wealthy.
He was tall and gaunt, withpale face, flowing black hair, and
eager looking eyes. As soon ashe saw you, he could not keep
his eyes off of you, andhe asked for your hand in marriage.
And I consented, asked Santa,breathlessly. Oh, Santa, yes,

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you left me at once and wentwith him. I followed you down to
the beach, imploring you to stay, but the stranger took you on board
his ship and hoisted a blood redsail. You were gone with a flying
Dutchman, lost lost forever, No, not lost, she cried. It
was a vision. It was mydestiny, Senta. Senta cried, Eric,

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almost beside himself with grief, andunable to control his emotion longer,
he rushed from the house. Andthen, as if in answer to the
dream, Santa thought, presently,the door opened and her father came in,
and with him the stranger. Hewas, like Eric's description, even
like the old print that hung uponthe wall, And as he directed his

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gentle blue eyes to her face,Santa knew instinctively that this was none other
than the flying Dutchman himself. Springingto meet her father, she hid her
face upon his shoulder and burst intotears. Dalan kissed her and patted her
upon the cheek. There, littledaughter, he said, have you really
missed your old daddy while he wasaway? Well, he has missed you

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too, but you are forgetting yourmanners. You have not yet greeted our
guest. Santa had by this timeregained some of her composure, and she
now turned to the visitor and greetedhim, but in a cold, constrained
voice. She was, in realityholding herself in check, for her whole
heart went out to him. Buther father thought, she is cold,

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the little minx. I must tellher my wishes in this matter, and
hint about the chest of gold.The foolish old captain measured everything by gold,
even his daughter's affection, but thisonly showed how little he understood her.
So, while the evening meal wasbeing prepared and the stranger had been
shown to his room to make himselfready, Daland took his daughter aside and

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told her what little he knew ofthe stranger. That he had been a
wanderer without kith or kin, andthat he had immense wealth and was now
desirous of settling down and having ahome of his own. He has asked
me to receive him as a guest, Daland concluded, and he has also
obtained my permission to sue for yourhand. Will you be obedient to my

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wish in this as heretofore, andconsent to become his wife. I will
give my answer to him, father, she replied quietly, after I learn
from his own lips how much orhow little he needs me. Daland was
fain to be content with this reply, but something in his daughter's tone reassured
him, and he wisely decided notto press the matter further until the stranger

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had been given the chance to urgehis own case. There was an air
of constraint about the evening meal,despite the host's attempts to be jovial after
his long absence. Tis true,Santa gave a willing ear to the story
of his voyage, and asked questionsfrom time to time, which showed how
anxious she had been for his welfarewhile he was away. But the guest

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courteously evaded all inquiries about his ownwanderings, and though he strove to be
agreeable, it was plain to seethat he was long unaccustomed to quiet home
life such as this. Finally,the supper was over, and the daland
the saying that he had business thatevening in the village, left Santa and
the stranger alone. Then the girl, with an almost bursting heart, heard

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her visitor cross the room slowly andcome to her side. Santa, he
said, and there was both authorityand entreaty in his low tone. Look
at me. She raised her eyesand met his gaze unflinchingly, and in
that glance each saw the soul ofthe other laid bare, and knew that

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each was beloved. Santa. Hecontinued, taking her hand. I am
a plain rough man of the sea, and know not how to mend my
speech for gentle ears like yours.But from the first moment I saw you,
I loved you, and your fatherhas already given his consent to my
suit. What is your answer?Do I read your eyes a right?

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Yes? She answered simply, itwas fate that brought you to me.
The seaman felt a great wave ofjoy I rush over him. He was
loved. Freedom from the evil spiritwas within his grasp. Then, for
the first time he realized how muchhe was asking of this innocent young girl.
A curse was hanging over him.How could he ask one he loved

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to share it? Stay? Hesaid, gently, releasing her hand.
I have no right to obtain yourpromise. Thus you do not know who
I am. A bright smile brokeover Senta's face. Ah, but I
do, she exclaimed. What isit possible that you know? I am
a wretched wanderer over the earth?You have been, she said, that

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men look upon me with superstition anddread. We will change all that.
In short, that a curse isupon me. Hear me out. He
raised his hand as she was aboutto speak again. Hear me out,
and then send me forth into thenight where I belong. I sought you
selfish to day to obtain your aidin the lifting of this curse of which

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I speak. The evil One hasdecreed that I shall wander forever unless some
true woman gives me her love andremains faithful until death. If her faith
in me should waver, the cursewould descend upon her. Also, before
I had even seen you, Iasked your father for you, and was
willing to sacrifice you to my ownselfish ends. I thought not at all

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of what I asked of you.I see now how selfish I was,
and I release you. Will younot dismiss me as I deserve? I
shall remember you only with gratitude forthe glimpse I have had of your brave
heart. But do you not loveme? Asked Santa. It is just
because I do love you that Icannot ask this sacrifice, he replied,

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his pale face showing the struggle throughwhich he passed. Then this is my
answer. Here is my hand,My heart goes with it, and even
to death, will I be faithful? She gives her hand and promises to
be faithful till death, exclaimed theDutchman, shaking his fist as if at
some unseen foe, dost thou hearthis dread spirit? I am free,

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and I defy thee. And fallingupon his knees, he pressed her hands
again and again to his lips.Just at this moment, Daland re entered
the room and was overjoyed at theturn of affairs. He gave the to
his blessing, saying, tomorrow Igive a feast to my sailors according to

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custom, and with your permission,I shall announce your betrothal at once.
The next day dawned bright and clear. On board the Norwegian ship, all
was bustle and activity. The sailorswere dressing it in its finest penance and
colors, making it ready for thevisit of the townspeople. And for the
feast. All was noise and laughterand song, for they were as to

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lighted as schoolboys when the long lookedfor vacation has come. But on board
the Dutch vessel, everything was asquiet as the grave. No one was
seen stirring above decks, and nota flag fluttered except a single tiny one,
which told that the captain was goneupon shore. Then a group of
laughing girls came down to the beach. Most of them we have already seen

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at Sentis House. They brought greatbaskets of fruit and dainties to the sailors,
And when Dalin's crew saw this treat, they lost no time in coming
on shore. But still the Dutchman'sblack ship gave no sign of life.
What is the matter with your fellowvoyagers, asked the maidens. No fellows
of ours, answered the Norwegians.We never saw them until yesterday, and

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they haven't budged since they cast anchorlast night. Hey, sleepy heads,
called out the girls, tauntingly.Come out and be sociable. You sleep
like land lovers, called a sailor, but no answer came back. Let
them alone, said another sailor.If they don't care for good things to
eat and drink, there will bejust that much more for us, greedy

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fellows, laughed the girls. Well, if I was as old and grizzled
as that graybeard crew yonder, saidthe one who had just spoken, I
wouldn't care for feast either, noryet for pretty girls. Here. He
gave a sly glance around. Theylook like the crew of the phantom ship,
said another. Laughing and lifting hisvoice, he called ho, there,

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old black ship. What has becomeof the flying Dutchman? At this
call, a cold wind swept alongthe shore, so that all the merrymakers
shuddered, and a nameless dread seizedthem. Then a strange thing happened.
The waves in the harbor remained calm, while just around the black ship they
rose and tossed angrily as though ina violent storm. It grew dark,

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the wind howled through the rigging,and weird blue lights played about the mastheads.
In the midst of the miniature tempest, the ship's crew appeared and began
to hoist sail as though preparing todepart, And as they worked they sang
a dirge like song that told ofa flying Dutchman and his seven year quest.

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He was even now in search ofthe wife that would save them all
they sang. This scene was toomuch for the Merrymakers. The panic stricken
maidens fled in every direction, whilethe sailors, seized with superstitious fear,
hastened to their ship and ran below, making the sign of the Cross.
At sight of the panic, thestrange crew burst into wild laughter, and

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the storms that sided as quickly asit had arisen, leaving the blue sky
and clear water as before. Justthen, the door of Dalin's house opened
and Santa appeared and came down tothe beach. She was followed by the
hunter Eric, who had come toplead his cause. Once again. He
could not bring himself to believe thathis dream was coming true and that Santa

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had plighted herself to the mysterious strangeras he had just heard. He reminded
her of their lifelong comradeship and howhe had, even as a little boy,
claimed her as his future wife.Indeed, you do belong to me,
he exclaimed, carried away by hisemotion. You gave me your heart,
you know you did. Now youcannot take it away and give it

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to a stranger. Oh, Eric, you misjudge me, Santa replied,
wounded deeply by his words, andsorry for his evident distress, She tried
to comfort him with sympathy and tenderness. She could not bear to see her
old playmate suffer or have him thinkbadly of her. Her attitude, however,

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was misunderstood by a third person whohad approached unnoticed. It was the
flying Dutchman. He now believed thatSanta was already regretting her promise to him,
and with a wild, despairing cryof lost, all lost, he
sprang down the beach and prepared totake boat for his ship. What do
you mean, asked Santa, hasteningtowards him. Farewell, Santa, he

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cried to see, to see,till time is ended, I release you
from your promise. It is theonly way I can save you from my
fate. Ah do not go,implored Santa. I do not take back
my word. I love you,love you. I knew you from the
first moment I saw you. Andwheresoever you go there will I go.

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Think what you are saying, Santa, exclaimed Eric, trying to restrain her.
They say that he and his shipare bewitched. I care not for
that. My place is by hisside, she said, struggling to free
herself. Be advised by your friend, said the seaman, who had mastered
his own emotion in some measure.I am indeed under a spell. Ask

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any mariner who sails the seas,and he will tell you, with a
shudder, to beware of the flyingDutchman. But Santa did not shrink back
as he expected. Instead, shestretched out her arms triumphantly, crying,
Ah, I told you, Iknew you. Now you cannot go and
leave me. I will save youin spite of yourself. Nevertheless, the

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Dutchman turned away, as though pushedforward by some unseen power. No tis
I who must save you, heexclaimed, and going aboard his ship hastily,
he blew his whistle and ordered theship to be got under way.
It had grown dark again, butthrough the gloom, the blood red sails
glowed like a flame, while astrange signal light burned in the prow,

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and the waves lapped eagerly about thebow as it began to move forward with
a shriek. Santa endeavored to follow, but Eirik and her father, who
had just run up with other villagers, held her back. The phantom ship
was now fast leaving the harbor anddirecting its course to the headland, when

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Senta, by a quick movement,wrenched herself free and fled swiftly along the
shore to the jutting point of rock. Santa, you are beside yourself.
The others cried, trying to followher, but she outdistanced them all,
leaping over boulders and across chasms inher flight, till she had reached the

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headland. The phantom ship was closebeneath her in the seething spray. Santa
cried Eric, hastening to the pointof rock where she stood, but she
did not heed him. Instead,she stretched out her arms once more to
the pale faced man standing in theprow of the oncoming vessel. Here stand
I faithful, even unto death,she exclaimed, a heroic light shining in

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her dark eyes. Give thanks toHeaven that one way was left for your
salvation. With this she flung herselffrom the cliff into the raging sea,
and instantly wonder on wonder. Thewaves grew calm. One last leap they
gave as she touched them, andthe phantom ship and all in it sank

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as she disappeared from view. Butto the watchers on the shore, a
beautiful picture was given which sent themtheir separate ways with peace in their hearts.
Above the spot where the Phantom shiphad gone down, never to be
seen again, a rosy light hovered, making as it were, a path

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leading straight through the bursting clouds tothe bright sky beyond. And in this
glory two figures were seen hovering,locked in each other's arms and rising upward
They were the radiant spirits of Sentaand the lover she had saved. The
flying Dutchman's voyages were ended, thecurse was lifted from him for evermore,

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and a story ten