The next day dawned bright and clear. On board the Norwegian ship all was bustle and activity. The sailors were dressing it in its finest pennants and colours, making it ready for the visit of the townspeople and for the feast. All was noise and laughter and song, for they were as delighted as schoolboys when the long-looked-for vacation has come.
But on board the Dutch vessel everything was as quiet as the grave. No one was seen stirring above decks, and not a flag fluttered except a single tiny one which told that the captain was gone upon shore.
Then a group of laughing girls came down to the beach. Most of them we have already seen at Senta's house. They brought great baskets of fruit and dainties to the sailors and when Daland's crew saw this treat they lost no time in coming on shore. But still the Dutchman's black ship gave no sign of life.
"What is the matter with your fellow-voyagers?" asked the maidens.
"No fellows of ours," answered the Norwegians, "we never saw them until yesterday, and they haven't budged since they cast anchor last night."
"Hey, sleepy-heads!" called out the girls tauntingly. "Come out and be sociable!"
"You sleep like land-lubbers!" called a sailor.
But no answer came back.
"Let them alone," said another sailor; "if they don't care for good things to eat and drink, there will be just that much more for us."
"Greedy fellows!" laughed the girls.