No sooner did he see that pale face than, uttering a cry of rage, he pushed it to the bottom of the water. He had recognized the man who had dishonored Riekje. Dolf, a right loyal fellow, had had pity on the poor lonely fisher lass and had made her his wife before God and man. He pushed him from him, but the drowning man, who felt the water close once more about him, clung to his saviour with an iron grasp. Then both disappeared in the darkness of death. Dolf heard a voice say within himself: "Die, Jacques Karnavash; there is not room in the world for you and Riekje's child." To this another voice replied: "Live, Jacques Karnavash, for it would be better to strike your mother dead." IV. "There's Dolf bringing Madame Puzzel back with him," said Nelle, after about an hour. The gangway swung under the weight of two people and sabots sounded on the bridge, while a voice cried: "Tobias! Tobias! get the lantern and light Madame Puzzel." Tobias took one of the candles and carefully sheltered it with his hand as he opened the door. "This way," he cried, holding it ajar. "This way!" The midwife stepped down the ladder, and a man followed her. "Ah! Madame Puzzel, Riekje will be pleased to see you. Come in," said Tobias. "Good-evening, lad. Oh! it's Lucas." "Good evening, Tobias," said the young man. "Dolf has stayed behind with his comrades, so I brought Madame Puzzel." "Come and have a drink, my son, then you can go back to Dolf." Nelle now came forward. "Good-evening, Madame Puzzel, how are you? Here is a chair. Sit down and warm yourself." "Good-evening to you all," replied the fat little old woman. "So we are going to have christening sugar on board the Guldenvisch this evening. It's your first, is it not, Riekje? Come, Nelle, make me some coffee and give me some supper." "Riekje," said the young boatman, "I brought Madame Puzzel because Dolf was dragged off by his comrades. He must not see you suffer. It is better not, so the others have carried him off to have a drink to give him courage." "I shall be braver, too, if he is not here," replied Riekje, raising her eyes full of tears. "Yes," said Nelle, in her turn, "it's better for every one that Dolf should not be here." Tobias then poured out a glass of gin and gave it to the man, saying: "There's something for your trouble, Lucas. When you have drunk that, your legs will lengthen like a pair of oars, and you'll get back to your friends in no time." Lucas drank it off at two gulps. As he drank the first he said to the company: "Here's to every one's health." He drank the second, saying to himself: "To Dolf's health, if he is still alive." Then he said good-evening. As the lad left the cabin, the kettle was singing on the fire and there was a good smell of coffee in the room, for Nelle with the mill on her lap was crushing the black berries, which snapped cheerily.