voured to avoid him!
The poor wretch, however, having been condemned to death, was shot dead
in the cage. This custom was, however, prohibited by the French. Of
course I have been speaking of a state of things as they existed some
years ago, and I daresay some improvements have taken place; but at the
same time the Dutch are of a very conservative disposition, and I
suspect that most of my descriptions would be found correct even at the
present day.

CHAPTER TWENTY.

STRANGE ADVENTURES AND NAVAL EXPLOITS.

Not very long before we sailed, Newman and I had gone on shore, he
taking a large sketch-book under his arm; and striking up into the
country, we reached a beautiful spot, the outlines of which he wished to
commit to paper. We sat ourselves down under the shade of a
wide-spreading palm, not far from the road. While Newman took the
sketch with his pencil, and in a masterly way threw in the colours, I
read to him from a volume, I think, of the "Spectator." During this
time a gentleman, attended by two servants in handsome liveries rode by.
Seeing two common sailors, as our dresses showed we were, employed in a
way so unusual, he dismounted, and, prompted by curiosity, came to see
what the draughtsman had produced. He had been watching us for more
than a minute before Newman observed him. Newman had a quick, prompt
manner in addressing people, which arose somewhat from pride, I suspect,
lest they should look down upon him; and seeing a stranger, he at once
spoke to him in German, remarking on the beauty of the scenery. The
gentleman stared at being thus addressed, but replied in the same
language, asking leave to look at the sketch he had just finished.
Newman frankly showed him that and several others, which the stranger
admired.

"You are a German, I presume?" said the gentleman.

Newman replied that he was an Englishman.

"You speak Dutch also, perhaps?" asked the stranger.

"Slightly," said Newman; "but I prefer German, though I am more fluent
in French."

"Ah, that is a tongue I am fond of," remarked the gentleman. "But may I
ask where you picked up your knowledge of languages?"

"In the world," replied Newman, carelessly. "'Tis a large book, and its
leaves are never closed."

"I am afraid that you will think me impertinent if I continue to ask
questions," said the stranger; "but I shall be glad to know to what ship
you belong?"

Newman told him.

"Ah, I know your captain--an honest ma