fter. But the mist out of which they had come, and
inside of which they would rather have remained perhaps, now thickened
over land and sea, and groping dreamily for something to lay hold of,
found a solid stay and rest-hold in the jagged headlands here. Here,
accordingly, the coilings of the wandering forms began to slide into
strait layers, and soft settlement of vapor. Loops of hanging moisture
marked the hollows of the land-front, or the alleys of the waning light;
and then the mass abandoned outline, fused its shades to pulp, and
melted into one great blur of rain. Janetta thought of her Sunday frock,
forgot the boat, and sped away for home.

CHAPTER XXXI

TACTICS OF ATTACK

"I am sorry to be troublesome, Mynheer Van Dunck, but I can not say
good-by without having your receipt in full for the old bilander."

"Goot, it is vere good, Meester Lyth; you are te goot man for te
pisness."

With these words the wealthy merchant of the Zuyder-Zee drew forth
his ancient inkhorn, smeared with the dirt of countless contracts, and
signed an acquittance which the smuggler had prepared. But he signed it
with a sigh, as a man declares that a favorite horse must go at last;
sighing, not for the money, but the memories that go with it. Then, as
the wind began to pipe, and the roll of the sea grew heavier, the solid
Dutchman was lowered carefully into his shore boat, and drew the apron
over his great and gouty legs.

"I vos married in dat zhips," he shouted back, with his ponderous fist
wagging up at Robin Lyth, "Dis taime you will have de bad luck, sir."

"Well, mynheer, you have only to pay the difference, and the ketch will
do; the bilander sails almost as fast."

But Master Van Dunck only heaved another sigh, and felt that his leather
bag was safe and full in his breeches pocket. Then he turned his eyes
away, and relieved his mind by swearing at his men.

Now this was off the Isle of Texel, and the time was Sunday morning, the
very same morning which saw the general factor sitting to be preached
at. The flotilla of free trade was putting forth upon its great emprise,
and Van Dunck (who had been ship's husband) came to speed them from
their moorings.

He took no risk, and to him it mattered little, except as a question of
commission; but still he enjoyed the relish of breaking English law most
heartily. He hated England, as a loyal Dutchman, for generations, was
compelled to do; and he held that a Dutchman was a