ct we rather doubt the
statement; there may be a smell, but it surely cannot be an unpleasant
one."

"As to that," answered the Count, holding his pocket-handkerchief to his
nose, "it must depend upon what people consider unpleasant; for my part,
I prefer the scent of orange blossoms or eau de Cologne to it."

The guide, who seemed anxious to fulfil his promise of enabling them to
see the city in a brief period of time, trotted them along the quays at
a rapid rate, pointing out to them the great dyke which prevents the
Zuyder Zee from washing into the town; then he conducted them up one
street and down another, over bridges and along banks of canals
innumerable, till they had not the slightest idea of where they were
going or what they were seeing. He poured out his information also at
so rapid a rate that the Count could with difficulty make the shortest
notes. Museums and picture galleries of various sorts were pointed out
to them.

"You will be able to see those by and by," observed the guide; "at
present my object is to exhibit to you the outside of the city."

The whole day was expended in viewing the city, and even then a large
portion remained to be seen, which they flattered themselves they should
do on another occasion. They then, pretty well tired, returned to their
hotel.

"Now, Count, in what direction shall we next bend our steps?" asked the
Baron. "If we were at sea the wind might settle that point, but on
shore the matter is more complicated."

"Come with me, Mynheers, to Zaandam," said a gentleman, who was seated
opposite to them at table and heard the Baron's question.

"I suppose there's something to be seen there?" the Baron asked.

"Certainly there is something to be seen," said the gentleman. "There's
the house of Peter the Great, who lived there while he was working as a
shipwright, and there are windmills."

"There are a good many windmills in other parts of Holland," observed
the Count.

"But the windmills of Zaandam beat them all hollow," answered the
gentleman. "There are no fewer than four hundred in and about Zaandam,
employed in all sorts of labour: some grind corn, some saw timber,
others crush rape-seed, while others again drain the land, or reduce
stones to powder, or chop tobacco into snuff, or grind colours for the
painter. Those of Zaandam are of all shapes and descriptions, and many
of them are of an immense size--the largest in the world."

"We will go to Zaandam