for the shore, and we will
throw ourselves on the charity of those strangers."

The one-eyed mariner gave a grunt, as if he valued but little the
compliments paid him; but he obeyed, notwithstanding, and the boat soon
reached the shore. The Baron and the Count then scrambled out, and made
their way to where the crew of the vessel were seated.

"Worthy mariners," began the Baron, in his usual style; "we are
shipwrecked individuals, or rather, I should say, we have just come a
long and perilous voyage in yonder small boat, without food or liquid
with which to renew our strength, and we are well-nigh starving. We ask
you forthwith to supply our necessities."

"What's the stout gentleman talking about?" asked one of the sailors of
his companion. "I cannot make out what he says."

"So far as I can understand, he and his friend are hungry, and want some
grub," observed the latter. "Food is it you want?" he continued,
turning to the Count and the Baron. "Our vessel there, which we hope to
get off at high tide, is laden with cheese, and you shall have one
apiece if you like at cost price, with as much biscuit as you can eat
and some schnapps into the bargain."

"By all means, let us go on board at once," cried the Baron. "I am
grateful to you."

"But we must not forget poor Pieter," cried the Count. "Here Pieter,
Pieter, we have got some food for you."

Pieter had hauled up the boat, and, moving as fast as he could stagger,
he accompanied the Count and the Baron and the crew of the sloop on
board. The sailors were as good as their word, and produced a couple of
round ruddy cheeses and a basketful of biscuits.

"Let us attack one first," said the Baron, nearly breaking his knife in
the attempt to make an incision in the rind; he succeeded in getting off
some slices, and all three fell to. Pieter, who was the most hungry of
the party, swallowed one huge lump after another, then held out his cup
for a supply of schiedam.

"Never mind the water," he observed. "This dry biscuit and cheese
requires something potent to get it down."

The Count, who had never tasted schiedam before, though he took his
diluted with water, made wry faces at what he considered its nauseous
taste, but he said nothing for fear of offending the captain and crew of
the sloop. At length he declared that he could eat no more.

"I think I can go on a little longer," said the Baron, who had attacked
the second cheese.

"And I do not expe