e part of the
distance."

"But I must first get my luggage, my fowling-piece, my knapsack, and
telescope," said the Count.

"Well, be sharp about it," answered the skipper. "Time and tide wait
for no man."

"But there is no tide in this lake, and you did not appear to be in a
hurry when I came on board," said the Count.

"For the best of reasons, we were fast asleep," answered the skipper, as
the Count went for his luggage, which neither the skipper, the mate, nor
the crew offered to carry for him. He therefore brought it on board
himself, for he had become wonderfully independent during his travels.
He sat himself down on his knapsack, expecting that the skipper would at
once get under weigh; but that individual, instead of doing so, dived
again below, followed by his mate and his crew, to discuss some supper
which they had stowed away in a locker.

While the Count sat awaiting the return of the skipper and his crew on
deck, he observed another boat in the distance, in which was a single
man. The person appeared to have been watching the barge, and now
cautiously approached, using a paddle, so as to make as little noise as
possible. He was apparently about to address the Count when the skipper
popped up his head, with his mouth full of food, on which the stranger
immediately began to row away in an opposite direction.

"Hilloa, you! have you anything to say to me? If not, keep your
distance, or you will have to smart for it!" shouted the skipper.

The stranger made no reply, but rowed slowly away, and Captain Jan Dunck
again dived into the cabin. The stranger then stopped, and made a sign
to the Count. Soon afterwards the mate and the crew, returning on deck,
cast off the rope which secured the barge to the bank, and taking up
some long spars, began to pole out into the lake, while the skipper sat
at the helm smoking his pipe. He smoked and smoked as he used to do on
board the _Golden Hog_, but did not invite the Count to join him. After
some time the water became too deep for poling, and the mate and the
crew took to their oars. The water was calm, and there appeared to be
no possibility of danger; but yet the Count did not feel altogether
comfortable.

"And so you say that one-eyed Pieter threatened to bring me to justice?"
growled Captain Jan Dunck.

"I said nothing of the sort," answered the Count; "I told you that the
Baron and I took one-eyed Pieter on board our boat. Had he been
drowned, y