d as
often rudely dashed aside. My little mistress had never before spoken
so gently; my mother's dying charge had never been nearer fulfilment.
And now, what could be further from my reach than either? How I
execrated that ill-starred jade, and the Dutch skiver, but for whom I
might at this moment have been my own master.

In due time I was marched into the burgomaster's presence, and deemed it
wise to make no further mystery of myself. I demanded an English
interpreter, unless the magistrate would hear me in French, which latter
he graciously agreed to do.

"Sir," said I, "my name is Gallagher; I am an Irishman, a servant of
King George, and a sailor in Admiral Duncan's fleet. I am, as I
believe, the sole survivor of the wreck in mid-sea of his Majesty's ship
_Zebra_, foully blown up by her mutinous crew. I was picked up by the
Dutch brig _Scheldt_, now lying at Rotterdam. I am no spy. I rode last
night to visit an acquaintance--a countrywoman at the Hague--and am on
my way now to fulfil my promise to the skipper of the _Scheldt_ to give
him a day's labour in unlading his brig in return for his kindness to
me. The sailor's coat and cap I wear were given me by him."

The magistrate heard my story attentively, and not altogether
unfavourably.

"Admiral Duncan's fleet," said he, "is in arms against the Dutch
republic."

"It is," said I.

"How many sail does he muster?" demanded my judge.

"I cannot tell you, mynheer," said I.

"Where do his ships lie?"

"Mynheer," said I, "would you expect a Dutch sailor to betray his
country to an English magistrate? I refuse to answer."

He frowned, less at my refusal than at the terms in which it was
couched.

"Give me the name of your acquaintance at the Hague," said he, changing
the subject.

I gave him Biddy's name.

"What was your business with her?"

"I never expected to land on Dutch shores, and so had no special
business; but finding myself here, I sought her out."

This all seemed fair enough; and the burgomaster, who was an honest man
and blessed with true Dutch stolidity, after consulting with his clerk
and colleague, informed me that inquiries would be made, and that
meanwhile I should remain in custody.

To my request to be allowed to send a letter to Biddy he returned a flat
and suspicious refusal. Nor, till my case stood clearer, would he order
the removal of the irons. So for the next twenty-four hours I lay in a
damp cell, with black b