The sail was lowered, then came the scraping sound of the brake, and a pleasant voice called out from the deck:
"What now?"
"Will you take us on?" cried Peter hurrying with his companions as fast as he could, for the boat was "bringing to" some distance ahead, "will you take us on?"
"We'll pay for the ride!" shouted Carl.
The man on board scarcely noticed him except to mutter something about its not being a trekschuit. Still looking toward Peter he asked:
"How many?"
"Six."
"Well, it's Nicholas' day—up with you! Young gentleman sick?" (nodding toward Jacob).
"Yes—broken down—skated all the way from Broek," answered Peter—"Do you go to Leyden?"
"That's as the wind says—It's blowing that way now—Scramble up!"