on the banks of the Meer on the following morning.

"By all means we will go," exclaimed the Count. "I will take my violin,
and who knows what may happen."

In the course of conversation they made inquiries about the various
people in the neighbourhood of the landlady, whose good graces they had
won.

"What sort of a person is Mynheer Bunckum?" asked the Count.

"He owns the castle of Wykel, not far from this. It is said that he is
trying to win the hand of one of the daughters of Mynheer Van Arent, but
whether or not he will gain her is a question. I desire to put you on
your guard against him, Mynheers, for he is not a man to be trifled
with." Proceeding at an early hour the next morning to the house of
Mynheer Van Arent, they found the family prepared for their excursion.
The distance to the lake was not great, and on reaching the pier,
running out a short distance into the shallow water, a large boat of
substantial build was seen alongside. She of course was round-sterned,
drawing but little water, but had tolerably sharp bows; her poop was
gilded and carved, as was her stern, while every part was either
varnished or brilliantly coloured. She was indeed the family yacht.
Instead of white canvas her sails were of a dark red hue, though of fine
material; she had a comfortably fitted-up cabin, with every luxury on
board. Numberless other vessels, broad and shallow, were sailing here
and there over the lake, their sails either red brick or
saffron-coloured, reflected on the violet-tinted waters, which
contrasted with the silvery hue of the sky, and a green ribbon of land
bordering the lake. These flat-bottomed, bulging round vessels were
employed in distributing the produce of the neighbouring farms to all
parts of the country around.

A short sail on board the yacht took the party to the point which had
been selected for their picnic, at which other yachts of a similar
construction quickly arrived, and the viands they had brought were then
carried on shore, and spread under the shade of the trees. Mynheer
Bunckum before long made his appearance, looking gloomy and morose, as
he observed the strangers. The Count and the Baron were introduced to a
number of persons, who did their best to make themselves agreeable. The
feast having concluded, at which if there was not much wit there was a
great deal of laughter, the party retreated to a more shady spot, where
the Count was requested to favour them with an