the ship. "She seems
to be sound in all her upper works, so far as I can see."

"I dare say the ship would be safe enough as long as Mr. Lowington and
Mr. Fluxion are on board of her."

"Yes, sir; I didn't suppose any harm had come to her; but Mr. Lowington
will naturally be very anxious about us. He has made us out by this
time, and is satisfied that we are still on the top of the water. There
are the steeples of a town," said Paul, pointing to the Walcheren shore.
"That must be Middleburg."

"This island was inundated in 1808," continued Mr. Stoute, after the
pilot had assured him that the steeples seen in the interior of the
island were those of Middleburg. "Though the sea is as diligently
watched as the advance-guard of an invading army, the great dike of
West Kappel broke through, and a large part of the island was under
water. Middleburg has its own dikes and ditches, the former constituting
the wall of the town, upon the top of which there is a public promenade.
This dike or mound kept the water out of the city after the sea-dike had
given way. The inundation rose as high as the roofs of the houses in the
town, but was fortunately kept at bay by the strength of the walls."

"Were you ever in Holland, Mr. Stoute?" asked Paul, with a significant
smile.

"Never," laughed the professor; "but the schoolmaster must not be abroad
when boys ask as many questions as the students on board of this vessel.
As soon as I learned that we were coming to Holland, I read up
everything I could find relating to the country, and I assure you my
interest in the country has been doubled by my studies. We have in our
library quite a collection of works relating more or less directly to
Holland. The New American Encyclopaedia contains very full and reliable
articles on the subject. We have a full list of Murray's Hand-Books,
which form a library in themselves, and which impart the most minute
information. Indeed, half the books of travel which are written are
based upon Murray's invaluable works. Then we have Motley's History of
the Dutch Republic, and the two volumes of his United Netherlands which
have been published. My knowledge of Holland and Belgium comes mainly
from these works."

"I haven't had time to look up these matters yet. I have given
considerable extra time to my French. As soon as we are moored, I
suppose Mr. Mapps will give us his lecture on the country; and I intend
to make that the basis of my reading."

"The