he Hague, others towards Delft,
Gouda, and numerous towns and villages to the right and left. Although
hitherto not a Spanish soldier had been seen, at any moment some might
be encountered. There were no heights or even tall trees from the top
of which a view could be obtained of the surrounding country, so that
they might know how to avoid their foes. Their anxiety was much
relieved when they saw the sun sinking into the not distant ocean. The
Prince frequently visited Delft, but Captain Van der Elst believed that
he was now to be found at Rotterdam, and although the former city was
but slightly out of their course, he proposed avoiding it and riding
directly for Rotterdam. More than half the distance had been performed.
A short way to the left lay the village of Zoetermeer, raised, like
others, slightly above the plain, and they already perceived the green
trees and red roofs of the houses peeping up among them, lighted up by
the last rays of the setting sun.

"Too much haste the less speed," observed the captain. "It is a true
saying, and we must therefore bait our horses and give them a short
breathing time, or they may break down before we reach our journey's
end."

"Might we not push on without stopping, and trust to the animals to keep
up their strength to the last?" asked Berthold. "They are both good
nags and sound in wind, and can manage a pretty broad ditch when pressed
at it."

"We may have to try their mettle even yet," said the captain. "And they
will the better do their work after a feed of corn; besides, we may have
to ride back, and we shall probably find no horses to exchange for them
in Rotterdam."

"As you think best," said Berthold. And they rode along a causeway
which seemed to lead directly for the village. On reaching it they
pulled up at the door of a small inn, the only one the place afforded.
The landlady hurried out to meet them, and desired to know whether they
intended to stop there the night.

"No, friend, we wish only to bait our horses, and must be in the saddle
again as soon as they are rested. It may be more prudent than
remaining, for we cannot tell at what moment we might receive a visit
from those savage hounds the Spaniards."

"Reports have been brought in of several foraging parties being out, who
take what they can find without paying a styver in return, besides which
they ill-treat the people on all occasions," observed the landlord. "It
would be a satisfacti