A Gentleman-at-arms

that Sir Francis Vere, some while before, had sent to seek me. I m

I am glad to see thee, lad." (He was but ten yea

peace as touching the paper Temple had given me, deeming that to be of no moment. Sir Francis made me compliments on my

he, "and tell me y

the which he believed to be looking for some movement on his part thitherward, with the intent to fall upon him as he marched. The city had hitherto made a good defence, but there had come to his ears rumours of a weak-kneed party in the council, and he feared lest, as the labour and hardship of the defence waxed greater, th

o-Nothing? Did he strike a blow I would give him a mighty backing, but 'tis not in me to play the nurs

ic; and the burghers of one city would be apt to look with ill-favour upon any man from another who should offer to teach them their duty. The like resentment would not be stirred up by an Englishman, more especially if he were commended

Harry, thou

not understanding his intent

ing in counsel, as witness his lecture and admonition at this very table! You shall go into Bargen; you shall take in hand t

etermined in my mind that I would do this thing, come of it what might. Whereupon, feigning to take him in merry mood, I smote upon the table likewise, declared 'twas a right royal jest, and vowed that on the mor

lf was fitter for a man well acquainted with these burghers than for a man raw and untried. Nevertheless, having put the halter ab

but had himself gone in and out of the city by a secret way, in despite of the Spaniards. In the dusk we set forth from the camp, with my servant, and rode to a lonely mill some few miles from Bargen, half ruined and

at was at this season partly submerged and in winter-time wholly. Here we stepped ashore, being within a short bowshot of the Spaniards' trenc

and immediately after two rope ladders were let down from the wall, upon which we nimbly mounted to the parapet. There we were confronted by a posse of the burgher guard

LY AS FOXES T

went together, my servant following, through the dark and silent streets, the Captain telling me that I should lodge in the house of the widow of the late Burgomaster, who had been slain in a skirmish the year before. When I said that I was loth to intrude upon t

voy from Prince Maurice, and an Englishman, a soft hand caught mine, and drew me into the house, and I made my salutation to a little old lady, very comely and personable, with a widow's cap and snow-white ruff, who greeted me in English and bade m

nchable spirit; and in truth, while she spoke of the brave deeds done in defence of the city, her cheeks glowed and her eyes sparkled so that she seemed young again.

I wondered whether she was aware of the rumours whereof Princ

and of her living son, who was

uestion held great place, in the field or the council cham

ard. Now I never lose the remembrance of a face once seen, and at the first glance I could have avouched that this young man was the same that did me service two days before. Yet the form of his countenance was something changed, and his

e or acquaintance of on

ving of that name

ld fain meet that same mynheer again, that I might r

ked; and her son seemed to wait u

e of burghers have been without the walls, the place having been straitly invested for two months past. This in my secret thought I took leave to doubt, but I could not in courtesy urge my opinion, an