“What kind of fruits are hanging there?”

But the next instant a chill ran down his back, for a raven perched on the black doll and pecked so fiercely at it with its hard beak, that bird and image swayed to and fro like a pendulum.

“What does this nonsense mean?” asked the baron, turning to the servant, a bold-looking fellow, who rode behind him.

“It’s something like a tavern-sign,” replied the latter.  “Yesterday, when the sun was shining, it looked funny enough—­but to-day—­b-r-r-r-it’s horrible.”

The nobleman’s eyes were not keen enough to read the inscription on the placard.  When Nicolas read it aloud to him, he muttered an oath, then turned again to the servant, saying: 

“And does this nonsense bring guests to the rascally host’s tavern?”

“Yes, my lord, and ’pon my soul, it looked very comical yesterday, when the ravens were not to be seen; a fellow couldn’t look at it without laughing.  Half Leyden was there, and we went with the crowd.  There was such an uproar on the grass-plot yonder.  Dudeldum—­Hubutt, Hubutt—­Dudeldum—­fiddles squeaking and bag-pipes droning as if they never would stop.  The crazy throng shouted amidst the din; the noise still rings in my ears.  There was no end to the games and dancing.  The lads tossed their brown, blue and red-stockinged legs in the air, just as the fiddle played—­the coat-tails flew and, holding a girl clasped in the right arm and a mug of beer high over their heads till the foam spattered, the throng of men whirled round and round.  There was as much screaming and rejoicing as if every butter-cup in the grass had been changed into a gold florin.  But to-day—­holy Florian—­this is a rain!”

“It will do the things up there good,” exclaimed the baron.  “The tinder grows damp in such a torrent, or I’d take out my pistols and shoot the shabby liberty hat and motley tatters off the tree.”

“That was the dancing ground,” said the man, pointing to a patch of trampled grass.

“The people are possessed, perfectly possessed,” cried the baron, “dancing and rejoicing to-day, and tomorrow the wind will blow the felt-hat and flag from the tree, and instead of the black puppet they themselves will come to the gallows.  Steady roan, steady!  The hail frightens the beasts.  Unbuckle the portmanteau, Gerrit, and give your young master a blanket.”

“Yes, my lord.  But wouldn’t it be better for you to go in here until the shower is over?  Holy Florian!

“Just see that piece of ice in your horse’s mane!  It’s as large as a pigeon’s egg.  Two horses are already standing under the shed, and Quatgelat’s beer isn’t bad.”  The baron glanced inquiringly at his son.

“Let us go in,” replied Nicolas; “we shall get to the Hague early enough.  See how poor Balthasar is shivering!  Henrica says he’s a white boy painted; but if she could see how well he keeps his color in this weather, she would take it back.”