"Which of you gentlemen is Mr. Geoffrey de Fynes?" he inquired.
Geoffrey bowed slightly in reply.
"Of Herstmonceux in the County of Sussex?" inquired the Captain.
"My father was Baron Dacres of Herstmonceux", said Geoffrey.
"I welcome you on board my ship," said Don Gonzaga warmly, as he held out his hand, which Geoffrey took courteously. "My father was the Spanish Ambassador at the Court of King Henry the Eighth," continued the Captain, "and your father, Baron Dacres, was his bosom friend; I venture to hope that a like bond may unite their sons! Now come to my cabin, gentlemen, for in a few minutes we start for Calais."
Then they bade farewell to the worthy Herr Van der Luhys and followed Gonzaga to his cabin. It was the "state room" of the ship, luxuriously furnished.
"Make this cabin your own, gentlemen, while you do me the honour of remaining on the Santa Trinadad," said the Captain. "And now I must hasten on deck," he continued; "we are just moving out," and with a bow he left them.
It was not long before the Englishmen ascended to the deck, eager to see the country through which they were passing. The sun was shining brightly on the broad, deep waters of the Scheldt as the noble ship slowly threaded its way out of the crowded port of Antwerp. Soon the majestic city faded out of sight, and on each side of the river a flat and somewhat desolate landscape extended itself.
There were broad meadows, reclaimed from the sea, on which great droves of oxen were pastured; there were innumerable wind-mills and quaint Dutch farm-houses. Occasionally a village came in sight with a metal-sheathed spire rising from its midst. Soon Flushing was reached, the pilot was dropped and the vessel was in the open sea, under full sail.
At mid-day dinner was served in the great mess-room, and Don Gonzaga introduced his guests to the officers of the ship.