While Sir Guy Chester, disguised as Captain Andrea Blanco, with his twenty-seven volunteers, all made as unlike English sailors as possible, upon the good ship Esperanza, and floating the flag of Spain, with Martin Corker at the helm, sails for the Schelde estuary.
Arriving there in early morning, he gets past Flushing by the narrowest squeak, being desperately pursued by some of his brother Beggars of the Sea, and early in the afternoon makes the Fort of Lillo. Here he finds three Spanish war galleys and great activity, and being boarded by a Spanish patrol boat he shows his charter papers and consignment to the firm of Jacobszoon & Olins, who do business on Wool street just off the English quay, Antwerp.
These being satisfactory, taking advantage of the tide, late on a bright May day, the setting sun gilding the beautiful tower of the church of Our Dear Lady, Chester drops anchor off the city front, and again passing satisfactorily the custom officials, takes his consignment papers and charter to the house of Jacobszoon & Olins.
“Hoezee! You escaped those plundering Gueux, my worthy Captain Blanco,” cries the senior partner Jacobszoon, a florid, paunchy individual.
Jan Olins, a man of clean cut face and precise manner, remarks: “You must have handled your vessel very well. If the government doesn’t put down these Dutch freebooters, good bye to the commerce of Antwerp.”
Then the two invite their successful captain to supper. “Come with us,” says Jacobszoon, “it will be my night away from home. We’ll have a friendly bottle at the Painted Inn.”
But Guy is not anxious to visit the Painted Inn, being exceedingly eager to put eyes upon Antony Oliver, and excuses himself on the plea that he must return to his vessel.
“Ah, you’ll sleep on board?” says the junior partner. [[137]]
“Probably,” replies the captain, “until I have my vessel alongside the quay.”
“Well, the Tower of the Angels is a very good inn not far from here,” suggests Jacobszoon. “It will also be convenient to your ship.”