visits to the city. "Tell him, also," wrote
Peter, "that I shall call there again, as I pass through Leyden. The
poor boy seemed to feel sure that 'the meester' would hasten to save
his father, but we, who know the gruff old gentleman better, may be
confident he will do no such thing. It would be a kindness to send a
visiting physician from Amsterdam to the cottage at once, if Jufvrouw
*{In Holland, women of the lower grades of society do not take the title
of Mrs. (or Mevrouw) when they marry, as with us. They assume their
husbands' names but are still called Miss (Jufvrouw, pronounced
Yuffrow).} Brinker will consent to receive any but the great king of the
meesters, as Dr. Boekman certainly is.

"You know, Mother," added Peter, "that I have always considered Sister
van Gend's house as rather quiet and lonely, but I assure you, it is not
so now. He says we make him wish that he had a houseful of boys of his
own. He has promised to let us ride on his noble black horses. They are
gentle as kittens, he says, if one have but a firm touch at the rein.
Ben, according to Jacob's account, is a glorious rider, and your son
Peter is not a very bad hand at the business; so we two are to go out
together this morning mounted like knights of old. After we return,
Brother van Gend says he will lend Jacob his English pony and obtain
three extra horses; and all of the party are to trot about the city in
a grand cavalcade, led on by him. He will ride the black horse which
Father sent him from Friesland. My sister's pretty roan with the
long white tail is lame, and she will ride none other; else she would
accompany us. I could scarcely close my eyes last night after Sister
told me of the plan. Only the thought of poor Hans Brinker and his sick
father checked me, but for that I could have sung for joy. Ludwig has
given us a name already--the Broek Cavalry. We flatter ourselves that we
shall make an imposing appearance, especially in single file...."

The Broek Cavalry were not disappointed. Mynheer van Gend readily
procured good horses; and all the boys could ride, though none was as
perfect horsemen (or horseboys) as Peter and Ben. They saw The Hague
to their hearts' content, and The Hague saw them--expressing its
approbation loudly, through the mouths of small boys and cart dogs;
silently, through bright eyes that, not looking very deeply into things,
shone as they looked at the handsome Carl and twinkled with fun as a
certainly portl