The First of the English: A NovelGunter, Archibald Clavering
History
The First of the English: A Novel
Gunter, Archibald Clavering
Historical fiction; Netherlands -- History -- Eighty Years' War, 1568-1648 -- Fiction
The Dutch captain bending down inspects this, then mutters suddenly to
Guy: “This head is placarded ‘Captain Oliver, of Mons.’”
“Good God!” and with eyes filled with anguish Chester sees once more,
for the last time, the face of his dead friend.
“You knew he was dead?” asks Ripperda.
“Yes,” mutters Guy, “but I couldn’t tell of it here; his betrothed
would learn.”
“Yes, the girl Mina was to marry our patriot!” sighs the commander.
Then he says hoarsely: “Take her away if you can get her forth alive.
Take her away quickly; don’t tell her until you get her from the horror
of this. Good bye, my English friend. If we meet again Haarlem will be
free from Spanish butchers.”
And the two make their farewell with mutual respect.
From this Guy, going to Pieter Kies, says: “I have the Commandant’s
orders. Take me to Mina Bodé Volcker!”
Getting word with the girl, who is very pale from famine and anxiety,
she sobs to him: “You have come to take me to Antony. I know it. I see
it in your face.”
“Yes,” mutters Chester.
“Where is he? How was it Oliver didn’t come with you?”
“Oh he—he came part way,” falters Guy, and goes with Haring to make
arrangements for their journey.
The only chance to get the girl out is by the lake. To do that they
must escape at night.
Taking Mina down through the Schalkwyker gate by the little line of
intrenchments and fortifications along the left bank of the Spaarne, by
which the besieged still keep communication open with the lake, they
get to the fort upon its shore over which the flag of Orange flies, and
preparing their boat, wait for nightfall.
This comes, but scarce soon enough, they are so very hungry. But with
it also comes something that aids their enterprise.
Five Spanish galleys are guarding the Fuik. Sails are seen to the
southeast. Four of these spreading their canvas, go out to reconnoiter,
and by night have not returned. There is now but one galley to avoid,
though she puts out two patrol boats.
“I think I can give a good account of those cursed bateaux that keep
provisions from us,” mutters the Holland commander of the fort.
Forthwith he prepares three boats to attack the patrolling ones of the
Spaniards at nightfall.
As these go out to make attack, Chester and Haring set sail upon the
little skiff, and, dodging the galley, which is now engaged with the
Haarlemers, are soon out upon the open lake, scudding to the south
before a fair wind.
Before daylight they are at the Kaag, and passing from there to Delft;
the next evening, Guy finds himself acquitted of his oath.
Having placed his charge in comfort and retirement in the inn called
the Gilded Tower, Chester strolls into the wine room of the hostelry to
meet astonishment. A wild-eyed creature on seeing him rises up, his
teeth chattering as he mutters: “Hel en duivel! It is a dead man!”
It is the merchant Bodé Volcker, who has been at Delft for months
beseeching the Prince of Orange to save his daughter.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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