ll his might, every now and then looking
over his shoulder to see that they were going in the right direction.
It was getting darker and darker, and no friendly lights beamed forth
from cottages or houses to indicate that they were approaching the
inhabited part of the country.

"Shall we soon reach the shore," asked the Baron, with a groan; "I am
getting desperately hungry."

"We shall not get there the sooner by talking about it," answered the
one-eyed mariner, who was beginning to lose his temper as he became more
and more fatigued. "If you, Mynheers, had learned to row, you might
have relieved me for a short time, till I had recovered my strength; but
as we should never get there if I gave you up the oars, I must keep at
it; only do not be continually asking me when we shall get there. I
tell you we shall get there, wherever that may be, some time or other,
if I keep rowing long enough."

After this remark, the Count and the Baron thought it prudent to say
nothing more to the one-eyed mariner. He rowed and he rowed. The land
became more distinct, but no lights indicated the cheerful habitations
of men. The Baron groaned, for he saw no prospect of obtaining a
supper, yet it was better to be on dry land than in a small boat on the
Zuyder Zee, with an individual of so uncertain a temper as the one-eyed
mariner. At length they found themselves with banks on either side.

"I thought so," said the one-eyed mariner, "we have reached the
neighbourhood of Yollendam; this must be the Yoll--a better landfall
than I expected. I do not know that provisions are to be obtained at
the village, which is a mile or so off; but we will see." And he rowed
up the river, which had a more attractive appearance than might have
been expected, for there was a small island covered with trees, and a
mound several feet high on the opposite side, on which the eye could
rest with pleasure. Before they had gone far the moon burst forth from
behind some clouds, and shed along the waters of the stream its silvery
light, which showed them a small vessel drawn up on the shore, and two
or three people near her.

"Perhaps these persons have provisions on board," exclaimed the Baron.
"I could sup off a dry crust of bread and a piece of Dutch cheese with
greatest willingness in the world. We will ask those strangers if they
will kindly relieve our necessities. Brave sailor, good Pieter, old and
worthy shipmate, have the goodness to pull in