at subject," answered the steward. "I intend to
accompany you till day breaks, and see you safe on the high road." They
walked on and on till day began to dawn. The fresh morning air revived
the Count's spirits, and he was more than ever satisfied with himself at
the thoughts of starting on an independent tour without the company of
the Baron.

"I will buy a gun, and a knapsack, and a telescope, and a
shooting-dress, and will trudge across the country, living on the
produce of the chase. I saw a vast number of birds as we came along on
the canals and borders of the Meers, and I shall have no lack of sport.
Such a life suits my present mood."

"A very excellent plan," observed the steward; "but I would advise you
to employ some more rapid means of locomotion than your own legs afford
till you get to a distance from this. Mynheer Bunckum may be wandering
about in the Neighbourhood, and should he fall in with you the
consequences may be disagreeable."

"I will take your advice, my friend," said the Count; "but I must first
procure the gun and the telescope, the knapsack and the shooting-dress."

"Certainly, and I shall be happy to assist you in that object. We can
at once proceed to Sneek, which being one of the chief places of the
province of Friesland, everything you require can be procured."

"I am overwhelmed by your kindness, and I accept your offer," said the
Count. And they proceeded on their way, having stopped to breakfast at
a house of a friend of the steward.

They reached Sneek about noon. The articles the Count required were
speedily procured.

"And now farewell, my friend," he said, taking the steward's hand. "We
are brothers of the bow, and I look upon you as a friend who has
rendered me an essential service, although you did haul me out of the
well in a somewhat rough fashion."

The steward made an appropriate answer, and they parted--he to return to
Bunckum Castle, the Count to proceed to the southward.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

The Count, as evening approached, reached the borders of a Meer a short
distance from the Zuyder Zee. It was fringed by trees and by tall reeds
almost as high as the trees, which grew partly in the water and partly
out of it. "If I could find a boat I might take a passage in her to the
other side of the Meer, and thus continuing my journey obtain rest at
the same time," he thought.

He hunted about, and at last found a path, at the further end of which
he obse