“We may have to try their mettle even yet,” said the captain. “And they will the better do their work after a feed of corn; besides, we may have to ride back, and we shall probably find no horses to exchange for them in Rotterdam.”
“As you think best,” said Berthold. And they rode along a causeway which seemed to lead directly for the village. On reaching it they pulled up at the door of a small inn, the only one the place afforded. The landlady hurried out to meet them, and desired to know whether they intended to stop there the night.
“No, friend, we wish only to bait our horses, and must be in the saddle again as soon as they are rested. It may be more prudent than remaining, for we cannot tell at what moment we might receive a visit from those savage hounds the Spaniards.”
“Reports have been brought in of several foraging parties being out, who take what they can find without paying a styver in return, besides which they ill-treat the people on all occasions,” observed the landlord. “It would be a satisfaction if some of our young fellows were to break their heads, but if they were to make the attempt our village would to a certainty be burnt down, so we must humbly submit to save our skins.”
“I cannot advise you for the present to do otherwise,” answered Captain Van der Elst. “But the time may shortly arrive when we shall drive our hated foes into the sea.”
“Would that it may come soon before they have, like a flock of locusts, eaten up every green thing in the land,” exclaimed the landlord.
“The information you give shows me the importance of our being on the road again without delay,” said Captain Van der Elst, as he and Berthold accompanied the landlord to the stable, where room was at once made for their horses by turning out a couple of others. The landlord then pressed them to come in and take some refreshment, but they both declined.
“Not even a glass of Rhenish wine? I have some of the best,” said mine host. But they refused, considering that their time would be better occupied in rubbing down their steeds, and moistening their lips from a bucket of water, after they had finished their corn.
“You can still render us a service, friend, by sending out to learn if any Spaniards are yet in the neighbourhood,” said the captain, “Surely that I will do,” answered the landlord, and he summoned a couple of active-looking lads and directed them to run out as far as their legs could carry them in ten minutes, and to try and discover if any cavalry were near at hand. “Foot soldiers are not likely to venture thus far, so we need have no fear of them,” he observed.
The lads clearly understood what was required of them, and started together in opposite directions. They had not been gone the allotted time when one of them came hurrying back, covering the ground with long, rapid strides.