ng more and more angry and excited.

"Ja, ja, Vrouw; ja, ja, I will land you presently."

All this time the boatman was observing the threatening gestures of
Captain Jan Dunck and Baron Stilkin. At last he disappeared with his
fare behind a crowd of vessels.

"Now, Captain," said the Baron, "the sooner we put to sea the better,
for I know Johanna Klack well enough to be certain that, if she does not
come herself, she will send a _posse comitatus_, or a party of
constables, or some other myrmidons of the law to arrest us under some
false accusation or other, and we shall be carried on shore
ignominiously as prisoners, and your voyage will be delayed."

"Ja, ja, I understand all about that," answered Captain Jan Dunck. "You
boy, with the kettle of boiling water, go and carry it below, and help
to get the galiot under weigh. Mate, turn the hands up and make sail."

The crew consisted of the mate, the one-eyed mariner, and the small
ship's boy. The mate and the one-eyed mariner were on deck; they had
only to turn up the small ship's boy, who quickly made his appearance on
being summoned, and they set to work to turn round the windlass, which
soon won the anchor from its oozy bed. The sails were set, and as a
light breeze had just then sprung up, the galiot began to move slowly
down the canal towards the open ocean, which was yet, however, a good
way off. As the breeze freshened the galiot moved faster and faster,
and soon the town, with its church steeples and old towers and its crowd
of shipping, was left behind.

"I think we might venture to let the Count up on deck," observed the
Baron. "He must be pretty well stifled by this time down in the hot
cabin."

"Ja, ja," answered Captain Dunck; "let him up. No fear of the Vrouw
Klack coming after him now; if she does, we shall see her at a distance,
and make preparations for her reception."

"But if she comes with a _posse comitatus_" asked the Baron; "what shall
we do then?"

"Send the _posse comitatus_ about their business," answered Captain
Dunck, flourishing a handspike. "I am skipper of this vessel, and no
one shall step on board without my leave, or if they do I will trundle
them overboard without their leave. Oh, oh, oh; let them just come and
try it."

On receiving this assurance from Captain Jan Dunck, the Baron,
withdrawing the hatch, called to the Count to come on deck, and enjoy
the fresh air and the beauty of the scenery. As no answer was re