“Well, Herr Dornburg, you require a long time to pledge a man.”

Georg started and answered hastily: 

“Pledge?  Oh! yes.  Pledge.  I pledge you, Colonel!” With these words he raised the goblet, drained it at a single draught, made the nail test and replaced it on the table.

“Well done!” cried the old man; and Herr Aquanus said: 

“He learned that at the University; studying makes people thirsty.”

As he uttered the words, he cast a friendly glance of anxiety at the young German, and then looked towards the door, through which Wilhelm had just entered the Angulus.  The landlord went to meet him and whispered: 

“I don’t like the German nobleman’s appearance.  The singing lark has become a mousing night-bird.  What ails him?”

“Home-sickness, no news from his family, and the snare into which the war has drawn him in his pursuit of glory and honor.  He’ll soon be his old self again.”

“I hope so,” replied the host.  “Such a succulent little tree will quickly rebound, when it is pressed to the earth; help the fine young fellow.”

A guest summoned the landlord, but the musician joined the officers and began a low conversation with Georg, which was drowned by the confused mingling of loud voices.

Wilhelm came from the Van der Werff house, where he had learned that the next day but one, June fourteenth, would be the burgomaster’s birthday.  Adrian had told Henrica, and the latter informed him.  The master of the house was to be surprised with a song on the morning of his birthday festival.

“Excellent,” said Georg, interrupting his friend, “she will manage the matter admirably.”

“Not she alone; we can depend upon Fran Van der Werff too.  At first she wanted to decline, but when I proposed a pretty madrigal, yielded and took the soprano.”

“The soprano?” asked the Junker excitedly.  “Of course I’m at your service.  Let us go; have you the notes at home?”

“No, Herr von Dornburg, I have just taken them to the ladies; but early to-morrow morning—­”

“There will be a rehearsal early to-morrow morning!  The jug is for me, Jungfer Dortchen!  Your health, Colonel Mulder!  Captain Huivenvoorde, I drain this goblet to your new standard and hope to have many a jolly ride by your side.”

The German’s eyes again sparkled with an eager light, and when Captain Van der Laen, continuing his conversation, cried enthusiastically:  “The Beggars of the Sea will yet sink the Spanish power.  The sea, gentlemen. the sea!  To base one’s cause on nothing, is the best way!  To exult, leap and grapple in the storm!  To fight and struggle man to man and breast to breast on the deck of the enemy’s ship!  To fight and conquer, or perish with the foe!”

“To your health, Junker!” exclaimed the colonel.  “Zounds, we need such youths!”

“Now you are your old self again,” said Wilhelm, turning to his friend.  “Touch glasses to your dear ones at home.”