We were now to change schuit, and went into a public house, where we were to stay half an hour to get a little refreshment. Your brother called me aside, sent for Robert, and ordered him to pay the Jew five guilders. How, said I, you have changed your mind! No, said he, it shall be repaid out of the baron’s purse, if my plan succeeds according to my wish. When you, continued he to Robert, have paid the money, bring the boy into the house, the rest will follow of course.
We then went into the coffee-room, where the two giddy young men were drinking and teazing a great dog. Robert quickly followed, with the Jew boy and his basket, for as they were in a different part of the schuit, they supposed he was gone on foot to Leyden. But I must give you, verbatim, the conversation that passed between them and Charles on that occasion.
BARON.
How came this boy in the schuit?
CHARLES.
Sir, your generosity in purchasing all this poor little merchant’s ware, by the sale of which, he assists to maintain a sick mother, had such an effect on me, that I determined to pay his fare, because I perceived that he had an ague on him, which has weakened him in such a manner that he would scarcely have been able to walk to Leyden, much less to have returned back to night. But my servant, who just now came in with him, felt so much compassion for him when he saw him so sick in the boat, that he has done a great deal more, he has given him the five guilders, and taken charge of the purchase, that the boy may return without any delay, and he will himself deliver it at the house of Mr. Vanderk.
The baron and his friend soon perceived your brother’s design, and looked very foolish, and the eyes of all the people in the room were fixed on them. They stammered, and knew not at first what to answer. Your brother, with his usual presence of mind, called the skipper, and said, you undoubtedly know Mr. Vanderk, of Leyden, to whose house those gentlemen have directed the young Jew; if you will go with my servant, when we arrive there, I will give you something to drink. The worst of all is, said the skipper, that in all Leyden I do not know where to find a gentleman of the name of Vanderk.
CHARLES.
That gentleman, pointing to the baron, will have the goodness to inform you.
BARON.