lows, with ruddy countenances, light hair, and rings hanging to their
ears. They were mostly dressed in red shirts, blue and white
knickerbockers fastened at the knee, and thick brown woollen stockings.
The boat, as she glided on, was generally accompanied by sea-gulls,
storks with long legs and outstretched necks, flights of lapwings, and
other species of the feathered tribe, uttering their plaintive cries,
and ever and anon as they skimmed the waves diving below the water to
bring some hapless fish in their long slender beaks.

"Here we are," cried the Count, as they glided into the picturesque
little town of Sneek, with its houses of white woodwork and painted
window-frames, its winding streets and high-arched bridges, its trees
and shady walks along the canals, its gaily-painted canal-boats, and its
picturesque water-gate. The town itself was soon inspected, while the
Count and the Baron on their way made inquiries for the instrument the
former was anxious to purchase. They were almost giving up the search
in despair, when they heard of a manufacturer who was said to have
produced violins which, in the hands of an artist, were capable of
giving forth such touching sounds that many who heard them were moved to
tears.

"That is just the description of instrument I require," exclaimed the
Count.

He and the Baron hastened on to the shop of the manufacturer. It was an
ancient building, the front of which looked as if, before long, it would
become acquainted with the roadway. There were not only violins, but
other musical instruments and curiosities of all sorts.

"Before I part with the violin I must hear you play," said the vendor;
"I never allow my instruments to go into unskilled hands."

The Count eagerly took the violin, and played a few notes. The Baron
produced his pocket-handkerchief, and placed it to his eyes.

"Touching, very touching!" he exclaimed.

"You will do," said the vendor.

The Count, well pleased with his purchase, asked the Baron if he could
find any instrument to suit him.

The Baron shook his head, mournfully. "I must depend on my voice; and,
provided I do not catch a cold, that will, I hope, produce as much
effect as your fiddle."

"We shall see," said the Count.

Leaving the shop, they hastened back to the _Trek-Schuit_, which was
about to return the way they had come. The journey occupied so long a
time that the shades of evening were already stealing over the landscape
w