The Ferryman of Brill | Page 3

him to do, to escape from his pursuer. The cottage door
was ajar. He pushed it open and entered. Peter welcomed him cordially.
"I have sad news for you, my friend," said the ferryman. "You have
been denounced to the Inquisition as a heretic, and your enemies have
resolved to take your life. Among them you may reckon Caspar Gaill.
He thinks that by getting rid of you he may win the hand of my fair
niece."
"How do you know that?" asked Diedrich.
"He told me so himself," said the ferryman. "He is not aware of our
connection, and he takes me to be a Romanist. He confides to me his
love for Gretchen, if such a fellow has a heart to love, and, in case she
should continue to refuse his hand, he engaged me to assist him in
carrying her off. A pretty proceeding that would be. However, I did not
decline his offer, but told him that I was very sure he was premature in
executing his plan; that he must wait patiently, and that by-and-by,
should the young lady continue obdurate, he might put it into
execution."
"But what do you advise me to do?" asked Diedrich. "I cannot leave
Gretchen--I cannot leave my business to ruin and destruction; I would
rather remain and brave the worst."
"Tell me, have any of those who have been denounced to the
Inquisition escaped from their fangs?" said Peter. "I trow not; then how

do you hope to escape death if you remain? Take my advice, my friend;
fly while you can, before your wings are clipped. It is a hard thing, I
know, for you to leave the girl you love, and it's cruel to neglect a
flourishing business which is affording you a handsome income. But
you need not lead a life of indolence. You wear a sword, and you have
an arm to wield it. You would be welcomed by those bold rovers of the
sea, the `water beggars.' If you offer your assistance to William de la
Marck, he will gladly accept it. It would be a glorious thing to assist in
liberating your country, and the only aid we can hope for is from the
ocean. On shore we cannot withstand the cruel Spaniards, but at sea we
may compete with them successfully."
Diedrich sat silent for some time.
"You cast down my hopes just now, but you have again raised them,"
he exclaimed. "I will go and consult Gretchen. If she urges me to go, I
will follow your advice; I am sure that she will remain true to me till I
return."
"I wish that I could persuade you to go off at once," said Peter; "your
enemies are vigilant, and determined on your destruction, and any
moment you may find yourself in their power."
Diedrich promised to be cautious, and to keep as much as possible
within the house during the next day, while he would make all the
preparation in his power for his speedy departure, should Gretchen
approve of his intention.
Peter told him that there was a vessel down the river on the point of
sailing. He was acquainted with the captain, who was a warm partisan
of the Prince of Orange, and would do his utmost to protect him should
he go on board.
Diedrich Meghem was a brave man, but the Inquisition, he knew too
well, was not an institution to be trifled with. Poor Gretchen was
overwhelmed with grief when she heard of the dangerous position in
which Diedrich was placed. She urged him to fly without delay,
promising again and again to be faithful to him, and to welcome him as

a husband whenever he should return. The merchant Hopper also
advised him to leave the country. Diedrich Meghem had made all the
arrangements possible with his head clerk and manager, and was still
writing busily at his own house, having packed up such articles as he
desired to take with him, when Peter Kopplestock hurried into his
room.
"It's time for you to be off at once, my friend," he exclaimed; "this very
night the Inquisitors' officers will visit your house, and if they find you,
will carry you off to an imprisonment from which, with life, you will
never escape. Here, I have brought this large Spanish cloak; throw it
over your shoulders and follow me. Your portmanteau and bags I will
take care of."
It was already too dark to distinguish people in the streets. Peter led the
way down to the river, Diedrich following him. They were quickly on
board the ferryboat, but Peter, instead of pulling over to the other bank
of the river, rowed down the stream as fast as his arms could urge on
the boat. Diedrich stepped