The _Trek-Schuit_ is a long canal-boat, divided into two compartments,
forming a first and second class, and is drawn by a trotting horse along
the towing-path. It contains seats well cushioned for sleeping, a table
for meals, and every other convenience for ease-loving people who are
not in a hurry. A pleasanter mode of conveyance cannot be conceived;
there is no shaking or vibration; in rainy weather the cabin is warm and
comfortable, and in fine weather the passenger can sit on deck and watch
the fast receding landscape. Such was the character of the boat in
which the Count and Baron were now travelling. The scenery need not be
minutely described; but it presented a pleasing level on every side, and
the canal being in many places raised above the surrounding country,
they could look down from their seat on the deck of the boat on the
corn-fields and broad green meadows, scattered over with farmhouses and
cottages, and occasionally with a few trees. Windmills of course very
often made their appearance, and cows, generally black and white, but
mixed sometimes with a few red ones, were to be seen on every hand. The
scenery, though unvaried, was not wearisome, especially when the sun
shone brightly; and the fields looked fresh and green, and the water
sparkled, and everywhere marks of man's industry were to be seen.
Sometimes locks had to be passed, and the boat either ascended or
descended a few feet, but it was not often she left the usual level.
The particulars of the journey need not be detailed, as no adventures of
especial interest were met with. Leaving the _Trek-Schuit_ they
continued their journey on land, having engaged a vehicle of antique
form, the box handsomely sculptured, highly coloured and gilt, and the
harness well burnished. It was drawn by a fine black horse ornamented
with red bows. They stepped in, and away they dashed at a rapid rate
along the well-kept road. At length, early one afternoon, they alighted
at a small inn, where they resolved to remain for a day or two, that
they might become better acquainted with the country and its inhabitants
than they could be either by gliding through it on board a
_Trek-Schuit_, or galloping along the road in a vehicle.
"Now," said the Baron, after he and the Count had satisfied the cravings
of the inner man, "let us go forth in search of adventures." They
walked along arm-in-arm, as was their wont, looking about them.
"Ah, what do I see!" exclaimed the Count. "A pretty villa, embowered by
trees! a rarity in these regions. I wonder whether the inhabitants are
as attractive as their residence: so lovely a spot may be the abode of
the most graceful of sylphs. Even at this distance we can see what
pretty creepers adorn its trellised porch; how green the lawn, how
bright are the flowers; and see, yonder, how the blue river dotted by
white sails sparkles in the sunlight!"
"Ah, very beautiful, but I should not be surprised to find it inhabited
by some stout double-fisted Vrouw or surly old bachelor," said the
Baron.
The Count and the Baron walked on till they reached the garden, which
was separated from the road by a light paling. On more level ground it
would have been by a moat or ditch.
"Ah!" exclaimed the Count. "My dear Baron, there are two young ladies
seated among the roses, charming and graceful, instead of the old Vrouw
you predicted we should find; and there is a little girl with her doll
on the grass, and in the porch I see an elderly lady with a young boy.
What a beautiful family picture!"
"Ah! but do you not observe that elderly gentleman with spectacles,
smoking his pipe," said the Baron, as they advanced a few steps, and the
individual spoken of came into sight. "He regards us with no friendly
gaze through those spectacles of his, as if he already looked on us with
suspicion."
"We will hope that his thoughts are of a more amiable character," said
the Count. "At all events, let us approach, and show him that we are
worthy of any attentions he may be disposed to bestow on us."
"Come along, then; bashfulness is not among the list of my vices," said
the Baron. And together they advanced to the palings, when,
simultaneously taking off their hats, they each made a profound bow to
the two ladies, when the old gentleman, with spectacles on his nose and
pipe in his hand, standing near the flower basket, turned round his head
and regarded them with an inquiring glance.
"This is my friend, Count Funnibos," said the Baron; whereon the Count,
making another bow towards the old gentleman with the spectacles, said,
"And this is my friend and travelling companion, Baron Stilkin," on
which the Baron made a bow towards the old gentleman in spectacles and
another towards the young ladies seated among the roses, who gracefully
bent their heads in recognition of the compliment. The old gentleman,
not to be outdone in civility, advancing a few paces, made two polite
bows in return.
"Come, we have produced some impression," whispered the Baron to the
Count. "We must not let the grass grow under our feet. I will speak to
them. Most excellent and esteemed Mynheer," he said, "Count Funnibos
and I are travellers round the world, imbued with a desire to see
everything interesting, beautiful, wonderful, and strange on our way,
and especially the habits and customs of the inhabitants of the
countries we visit. We shall therefore esteem it a favour if you will
allow us to make your acquaintance, and that of your charming family.
Those young ladies are, I presume, your daughters, and your excellent
Vrouw, seated under the porch, is, I conclude, affording instruction to
one of the younger members of your family."
"You are perfectly right, Mynheers. As you have announced you names, I
am bound to inform you that mine is Hartog Van Arent, those three ladies
are my daughters, and the elder lady is my Vrouw, to whom I shall have
the happiness of introducing you if you will come through the gate you
will find a little further on near the house."
Again the Count and Baron bowed, and expressed the honour they should
feel at being introduced to the Vrouw Van Arent and her charming
daughters. The young ladies, on hearing this, smiled sweetly, and
rising from their seats approached the house to be in readiness to be
introduced to the strangers. The Vrouw welcomed them cordially, as
Dutch ladies are accustomed to receive guests, and the young ladies were
not behind their mother in that respect, while the little girl ran up
with her doll, which she held up to be admired, thinking more of it than
herself. In a few minutes the Count and the Baron made themselves
perfectly at home, as if they had known the family all their lives.
Mynheer Van Arent invited them to enter the house, and after partaking
of an early supper, they spent a pleasant evening. The young ladies
played the piano and sang, if not artistically, with sweet voices, so
that the Count and the Baron professed themselves completely captivated.
They were considering it time to take their departure, when another
guest was announced, and a gentleman entered who was received by Mynheer
Van Arent and his Vrouw in as cordial a manner as they had been. He was
introduced to the Count and the Baron as Mynheer Bunckum. He made them
a somewhat stiff bow, which they returned with, their usual politeness.
He evidently was taking great pains to make himself agreeable to the
young ladies, who seemed, however, not over-inclined to encourage his
attentions.
At last, pulling out his watch, he observed that it was getting late,
looking at the Count and the Baron at the same time as a hint to them to
take their departure; but they waited till he had made his bow and
retired, then, after some more agreeable conversation, they also bowed
themselves out of the house.
"Truly," observed the Count, "this has been the pleasantest evening we
have spent since we started on our travels."
"So pleasant that I presume you will wish to spend some more of the same
character," remarked the Baron.
"Indeed I do," said the Count. "For, to confess the truth, I have lost
my heart."
"Have you, indeed!" exclaimed the Baron. "To which of the fair ladies,
may I ask?"
"That remains as yet a secret unknown to myself," said the Count. "They
are both so charming."
"Pray, as soon as you can discover the secret, do not conceal it from
me," said the Baron. "I have particular reasons for asking."
All this time they were not aware that they were closely followed by
some one, who must have heard every word they said. Suddenly the sound
of a footfall reached their ears, and turning they saw a figure, who,
finding that he was discovered, rapidly retreated.
"Stop!" cried the Count, "whoever you are; we wish to have a few words
with you."
"Stop, I say!" repeated the Baron. But their shouts were unheeded, and
neither of them felt inclined to give chase.
"Who can that be?" asked the Count.
"That is the question," answered the Baron. "What do you say to Mynheer
Bunckum? He cast a jealous eye at us, as if he considered we were
rivals."
"Then he should have come up and spoken to us like a man," said the
Count. "We must be on our guard, at all events, for he evidently has no
friendly feeling towards us."
The Count and the Baron met with no further adventures till they reached
the inn.