He was agitated, breathing hard, and carried a pistol.
William came forward out of the shadows.
“What is it?”
“The Friesland regiments, Sir … they mutiny. I know not what to do.”
M. Bentinck rose and softly latched the swinging door.
“Why do they mutiny?” asked the Prince.
“Sir, they say they are starving, and that it is but waiting here to be cut to pieces, and that the country is lost, and that they will submit to the King of France and go back to their homes——”
“You speak as if not over confident yourself, Mynheer,” said William, holding up his head.
“Truly, Your Highness, affairs are desperate.”
“If we despair they are desperate indeed,” replied the Captain General sternly. “It is our duty, Mynheer, not to despair.”