Augusta Huiell Seaman

“ A lazy boat with one big brown sail edged its way slowly along the canal in the direction of Delft.
“I might as well save my strength,” argued Gysbert to himself, “and what is more, I have time in quantities to spare. Hi!—Herr Captain, I pray you take me on your gallant bark!” The captain looked up from a sail he was mending, and scanned the boy from head to foot.
“I like thee not,” he answered. “Thou hast too much of the Spaniard about thee, little frog! Thine own two good feet can carry thee!” ”

“ The camp streets were bustling with life and activity. Soldiers promenaded up and down, women—the few who had chosen to follow their husbands’ fortunes—called to each other shrilly from the tent-doors, and even some children ran hither and thither in garments of startling untidiness. Gysbert hoped to escape notice in the general confusion, but in this he was mistaken. A sudden hand was laid in no gentle manner on his shoulder, and a voice from behind demanded:
“The password!” ”

“ Now a Glipper was the name given to any Hollander who sympathized with Spain, and they were as a rule very favorably regarded by the Spaniards. Gyshert, being naturally truthful, disliked exceedingly to thus falsify himself, but consoled his conscience with the motto—‘All’s fair in war.’ The sentinel looked him over suspiciously, hut concluded that he had not the appearance of a genuine, out-and-out Dutch boy. Moreover, it was evident from his speech and expression that he was not blessed with more than half the usual quantity of wits. ”