e so himself," said the ferryman. "He is not aware of our
connection, and he takes me to be a Romanist. He confides to me his
love for Gretchen, if such a fellow has a heart to love, and, in case
she should continue to refuse his hand, he engaged me to assist him in
carrying her off. A pretty proceeding that would be. However, I did
not decline his offer, but told him that I was very sure he was
premature in executing his plan; that he must wait patiently, and that
by-and-by, should the young lady continue obdurate, he might put it into
execution."

"But what do you advise me to do?" asked Diedrich. "I cannot leave
Gretchen--I cannot leave my business to ruin and destruction; I would
rather remain and brave the worst."

"Tell me, have any of those who have been denounced to the Inquisition
escaped from their fangs?" said Peter. "I trow not; then how do you
hope to escape death if you remain? Take my advice, my friend; fly
while you can, before your wings are clipped. It is a hard thing, I
know, for you to leave the girl you love, and it's cruel to neglect a
flourishing business which is affording you a handsome income. But you
need not lead a life of indolence. You wear a sword, and you have an
arm to wield it. You would be welcomed by those bold rovers of the sea,
the `water beggars.' If you offer your assistance to William de la
Marck, he will gladly accept it. It would be a glorious thing to assist
in liberating your country, and the only aid we can hope for is from the
ocean. On shore we cannot withstand the cruel Spaniards, but at sea we
may compete with them successfully."

Diedrich sat silent for some time.

"You cast down my hopes just now, but you have again raised them," he
exclaimed. "I will go and consult Gretchen. If she urges me to go, I
will follow your advice; I am sure that she will remain true to me till
I return."

"I wish that I could persuade you to go off at once," said Peter; "your
enemies are vigilant, and determined on your destruction, and any moment
you may find yourself in their power."

Diedrich promised to be cautious, and to keep as much as possible within
the house during the next day, while he would make all the preparation
in his power for his speedy departure, should Gretchen approve of his
intention.

Peter told him that there was a vessel down the river on the point of
sailing. He was acquainted with the captain, who was a warm partisan of
the Prince of Oran