on if some of our young fellows were to break their
heads, but if they were to make the attempt our village would to a
certainty be burnt down, so we must humbly submit to save our skins."

"I cannot advise you for the present to do otherwise," answered Captain
Van der Elst. "But the time may shortly arrive when we shall drive our
hated foes into the sea."

"Would that it may come soon before they have, like a flock of locusts,
eaten up every green thing in the land," exclaimed the landlord.

"The information you give shows me the importance of our being on the
road again without delay," said Captain Van der Elst, as he and Berthold
accompanied the landlord to the stable, where room was at once made for
their horses by turning out a couple of others. The landlord then
pressed them to come in and take some refreshment, but they both
declined.

"Not even a glass of Rhenish wine? I have some of the best," said mine
host. But they refused, considering that their time would be better
occupied in rubbing down their steeds, and moistening their lips from a
bucket of water, after they had finished their corn.

"You can still render us a service, friend, by sending out to learn if
any Spaniards are yet in the neighbourhood," said the captain, "Surely
that I will do," answered the landlord, and he summoned a couple of
active-looking lads and directed them to run out as far as their legs
could carry them in ten minutes, and to try and discover if any cavalry
were near at hand. "Foot soldiers are not likely to venture thus far,
so we need have no fear of them," he observed.

The lads clearly understood what was required of them, and started
together in opposite directions. They had not been gone the allotted
time when one of them came hurrying back, covering the ground with long,
rapid strides.

"If the mynheers do not wish to be made prisoners, they had better be
out of the village as soon as they can saddle up," he said. "I caught
sight of a party of horsemen just passing the border of the Meer where
the willows grow; there must have been a dozen of them or more; but I
only stopped to count thus far and then took to my heels, expecting
every moment to have a shot whistle by my ears."

"You have done well, Hans," said the landlord.

"And here is a reward for your service," added Berthold, giving the
youth a coin.

"I did it of my own free will," answered Hans. "It is not the first
time I have been set to watch