ent."

The seaman obeyed, and disappeared down the fore hatchway. The sloop
sailed on and on. The Count looked into the cabin and saw that the
skipper was fast asleep; the Baron went forward and found half his crew
employed in the same way.

"Never mind," said the sober sailor; "the wind is fair, and provided no
other big ship runs us down we shall get safely to Amsterdam soon after
nightfall."

This was cheering news to the travellers, and they promised a handsome
reward to the sober sailor if he would take them in safely.

"Glad to do that for my own sake," he answered. "It won't be my fault
if we do not."

Still, as the wind was light the sloop sailed slowly; yet it was very
evident, from the number of vessels they encountered, that they were
approaching the great emporium of commerce; but the evening was drawing
on, and darkness would increase the dangers of the voyage. At length
they could only see lights glittering here and there, ahead and on every
side, and tall masts rising out of the water. Now and then shouts
warned them to get out of the way of some vessel, and the sober sailor
shouted in return.

"Now, Mynheers, whichever of you can steer the best take the helm, and
we will bring the sloop to an anchor. We must wait till daylight to get
through the outer drawbridge."

"I never steered in my life," answered the Count.

"Nor I either," said the Baron.

"Then do one of you take the tiller and do as I tell you," said the
sober sailor.

"Baron, I leave that honour to you," said the Count; "I do not feel
quite up to it."

The Baron, who would have been ready to steer a seventy-four if he had
been asked, at once took the tiller in hand, and, as the sailor sang
out, "Pull the tiller towards you," or "Put it away from you," he did as
he was bid. They glided on in the darkness, the lights round them
twinkling like fireflies. At last the sailor hauled down the jib and
foresail. "Now put it from you," he sang out, "as far as you can."
Then there came a splash, and the cable ran out, and the sober sailor
requested the Count and the Baron to help him lower the mainsail.

"Now I have you all snug," he said, "I can put you on shore, or you can
remain on board till morning if you wish it."

"I think we had better remain on board," said the Baron; "I do not fancy
going into a strange town at midnight without knowing an inch of my way,
or what hotel to go to."

"I agree with you," observed the Coun