an to alight on this arch, under which your
Majesty was shortly expected to pass. We were about to hive them
when this young gentleman came along at the head of his company, and
there arose a discussion, at the end of which I hived him instead."

"But these wounded men--"

"Ah, your Majesty, it was unfortunate; but one can never tell where
these discussions will end."

"Three of my men and a sergeant placed _hors de combat_--a dozen more
unfit to be seen--an officer dismounted, and his whole company
scattered like a flock of geese! I am seriously annoyed, sir. What
is your name?"

"Sire, I am called Captain Barker, and was formerly an officer in the
fleet of his late Majesty King Charles the Second."

"Barker . . . Barker? I seem to remember your name. Captain John
Barker, are you not?"

"That is so."

"Sometime in command of the _Wasp_ frigate?"

"Your Majesty has a perfect recollection of his most insignificant
enemies."

King William bit his lip.

"My memory is good, Captain Barker, as you say. Why did you quit the
service?"

"For private reasons."

"Come, sir; you were, if I remember right, a gallant commander.
With such their country's service stands above private reasons.
Of late your country's claim has been urgent upon all brave men; and,
by the havoc I see around, you are not past warfare."

"Well, but--"

"Speak out."

"Sire, all my life I have fought against Dutchmen."

"You found them worthy foes, I expect."

"In all respects."

"Would they be less worthy allies?"

"Not at all. But consider, sire, the habits of a lifetime.
From boyhood I never met a Dutchman whom it was not my duty to knock
down. To-day, if I sailed in an English ship-of-war, what should I
find? Dutchmen all around me. Your Majesty, I cannot speak the
Dutch language except with a cutlass. I distrust my habits.
They would infallibly lead to confusion. In the heat of action, for
instance--"

The little man stopped abruptly. It seemed that his speech gave
uncommon pleasure to the tall gentleman on the black charger, whose
face twitched with a barely perceptible smile. King William, on the
other hand, was frowning heavily.

"Sir," he said, "your tongue runs dangerously near sedition."

"I am sorry your Majesty thinks so."

"You are also very foolish. I find you incurring my just anger, and
hint, as plainly as I can, at an honourable way of escape. Captain
Barker, are you aware that your case is s