ation to the summit,
and built of Norwegian granite, a work constructed to protect the land
from the encroachments of the ocean. Beyond it could be seen the tops
of the houses and the steeples of a large town. Sailing on, the galiot
came off the town of Nieuwe Diep, and the tall masts and yards of a
number of large ships could be distinguished in the Royal Dockyard
inside the bank.

"We Dutchmen are proud of this place," observed the skipper. "Two
hundred years ago a fierce naval battle was fought off here between the
English and French, and our brave Admirals De Ruyter and Van Tromp, who
gained the victory."

After the galiot had passed Nieuwe Diep the wind shifted to the
northward, and she ran on rapidly in smooth water till she came off
Enkhuisen. Bounding that point she reached Hoorn, off which she brought
up.

"The place is worth seeing," observed the skipper; "and you may spend an
hour or two on shore while I transact some business. You will remember
that it was once the capital of North Holland, but it is now what some
people call a dead city, and you will acknowledge that it is very far
from being a lively one; however, it has something to boast of. It was
here that Captain Schouten was born--he who sailed with Le Maire and
discovered the southern end of America, to which he, in consequence,
gave the name of his birthplace. You have heard of Cape Horn, I
suppose."

"Oh, yes; as to that, the Baron knows all about it," said the Count.
"We will follow your advice, Captain, and will be down on the quay again
within the time you mention."

"Well, this is a dead city," said the Baron, as he and the Count walked
through its ancient streets. "Everything about it seems to indicate
that if it ever were alive it must have been a long time ago. What
curious old houses, how quaint in form; many of them also are decorated
with sculpture of all sorts, and, on my word, excessively well executed
too."

"I should be very unwilling to pass many days here," remarked the Count,
as passing along street after street they scarcely met a creature,
quadruped or biped. The houses seemed untenanted--not a voice, not a
sound was heard; yet they were all clean, in good preservation, and well
painted, mostly of a yellow colour with red roofs, many of them with
gable ends, one story being smaller than the other, so that towards the
summit they presented an outline of steps. There were also numerous
gateways, some handsomely