would be judicious to do both," observed a sagacious
old burgher. "We should negotiate in order to gain time to run away."

"But which two men will be found to proceed to the rebel fleet as our
envoys?" asked another. "It is an honourable post, is no one ready to
fill it?"

There seemed a great likelihood of the negotiations breaking down for
want of envoys to carry them on. At this juncture Caspar Gaill made his
appearance in the court-house.

"I will go," he said, "on one condition: that the executions which were
to take place this morning are suspended. If we put to death the
fellow-religionists of these people, they are not likely to treat us
with much mercy."

The justice of Caspar's remark was at once seen; and in spite of the
protestations of the Inquisitor and the other priests, that it would be
impious to take their victims out of the hands of the Church, the
magistracy decided that the criminals should be immediately respited.

"If we determine on fighting, and put the enemy to flight, you holy
fathers may then execute due punishment on the heretics," observed one
of the magistrates; "but, in the meantime, we prefer not to subject
ourselves to the rage of these desperate freebooters."

Caspar quickly persuaded another friend to accompany him on board the
fleet, and, rowed by Peter, they proceeded on board the admiral's ship.
It was there the rivals met. Caspar, before entering the admiral's
cabin, had just time to exchange a few words with Diedrich.

"I resign Gretchen to you," he whispered; "I am not worthy of her. I
acted a vile and treacherous part, and was very nearly the cause of the
destruction of her and her father. They are now, I trust, safe; unless
those vile priests prove treacherous. At all events there is no time to
be lost in hastening on shore, that they may be completely rescued from
their power."

As soon as the message of the magistrates was received, the sailors
quickly leaped into their boats, and hastened on shore. The rovers were
divided into two parties. One, under Treslong, made an attack upon the
southern gates; while the other, commanded by the admiral, advanced upon
the northern. The governor of the city, it appeared, had not agreed to
the proposals of the magistrates, and had made preparations to resist
their entrance. Hungry men, especially of the character of the
sea-rovers, are not likely to be stopped by trifles. Treslong and his
followers forthwith attack