X;v^^J^it!i>^5i^iKl'-::?^l^::i:; mm&m mm^mmii^im^-} ^m Wm^ gm^ . 183 XXII The Great Seal 190 XXIII Her White Manitou 197 XXIV White Blossoms 206 XXV The Word of a Traitor 214 XXVI Balthazar Takes His Leave . . . 223 XXVII A Passing Year 233 XXVIII Annetje's Answer 243 XXIX A Fine Dish of Gossip 251 XXX The Price 259 XXXI The English Arrive 271 XXXn A New Name for an Old Town . . 279 XXXIII Two Letters 286 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS "Know you the maid, Balthazar?" . . . Frontispiece FACING PAGE " When the English take the province you will have your rights " 30 "A seat for her Mightiness" 122 "Thou art here at last, oh my white daughter" . . 192 " Thou art over-young to adopt so large a daughter, Balthazar " 240 " It is Annctje Pclgrom, Judith " 256 A MAID OF OLD MANHATTAN CHAPTER I THE TREASURE yiROUND the council-fire the men sat eyeing AA each other across the flickering light, the cop- •^ -^per-coloured faces of the Indians peering into the white faces of Jan Virrhage and his men. They had sat thus hour after hour awaiting the move that was to end their parley. At last Virrhage spoke. " Time presses, O Sachema ! " A sudden restless movement of relief among the whites was plain evidence that they had nigh reached the end of their patience. For days the parley had been in progress, and they seemed no nearer their desire. The Dutchmen sought gold I Kieft, the old governor of Nieuw Amsterdam had found it; but he had gone down with his ship carrying the secret of its whereabouts with him. Gossip had it that the Indians to the North knew where it was, and they were there, a handful of desperate men, to solve the riddle of its hiding-place. They sought gold and, now that they felt it within their grasp, they were not minded to be balked of their reward by the stolid stubbornness of the painted savages. " Time presses, O Sachema," Jan Virrhage re- peated, and his followers nodded in unison. I 2 A Maid of Old Manhattan Among the braves there was no stir. Like bronze statues in the red hght of the fire, they sat wrapped in their blankets staring straight before them, im- movable, unwinking, silent. Ten minutes passed and then, with an exclama- tion of impatience, Jan Virrhage stood up. " Give ear, O Sachema ! The end of our waiting is at hand. We have come for the treasure and if we go back without it, woe unto this village ! I am sent by the Great White Chief, whose arm is long and strong. If I return, and the treasure Is not with me, he will come himself — and who shall be left in your wigwams to tell the tale to your children's chil- dren? We who are here in his name know that you hold a precious secret. Our manitou has whispered in our ears that the Algonkins are hiding that which we seek, and woe betide that tribe who would deceive us! Think not that being but an handful against a hundred we must fear you. We came as brothers to the Algonkins and as brothers we would return. But the treasure we mean to have, or else will the Great White Chief follow us and your lands shall be left desolate. Already ten suns have passed. Already it is whispered that you parley but to gain time. Al- ready the Great White Chief is asking why his men have not returned. The end of our waiting is at hand. Give answer, O Sachema ! Have we jour- neyed to your lodge in vain or will you give us the hidden treasure? Give answer, O Sachema I For the last time I have spoken." Virrhage ceased and eyed the Indian chief, trying to read in his impassive countenance the effect of his words. He would have given much to know what thoughts were passing through the other's mind, for the situation was desperate. At a word from the silent figure the lives of Virrhage and his band would The Treasure 3 not be worth a stuyver's purchase. Should the chief so will it, neither he nor those who followed him would return to tell the tale, and the end of the ad- venture would be sudden and painful. The boast that he had been sent by Peter Stuyve- sant was false. The Dutch governor of Nieuw Nederlandt was little like to stir up trouble with the Indians over the carcasses of Jan Virrhage and his boschlopers. Nor was it even certain that it was the Algonkins with whom Kieft had dealt in his search for gold. Back in Manhattan there were those who laughed at the extravagant talk of Kieft's buckets of treasure and doubted if there ever had been such a discovery as he had claimed. A few beads found here and there among the tribes was all the evidence the settlers had upon which to base the belief that gold actually existed in the new land. Yet, as it was known that the savages prized copper above the yellow metal, Kieft's bragging had sent more than one greedy party on the search. Yijirhage was one of those who had faith, and if a boQ front and a round lie would further his purpose he had both courage and a ready tongue at his com- mand. He knew that the Esopus were not a warlike tribe and if a threat to bring the Dutch soldiery might serve his turn he would not hesitate at a threat, vain though it was. Moreover the ten days' parley had convinced him that the Indians were possessed of a secret. On that point he had no doubt, and this conviction doubled his determination to drag it from them by hook or crook. And now the die was cast. The next few mo- ments would determine the fate of the white men one way or the other. Meanwhile a blustering and in- different mien might well impress the savages. Jan Virrhage stood for a moment, waiting for the chief- 4 A Maid of Old Manhattan tain to answer; then, with a swagger of his heavy shoulders, he made a move as if to quit the circle. But ere Virrhage had completed his stride the Sachem rose to speak. " Stop, O white brother," he said, stretching forth his arm, " the treasure shall be yours ! " At his words a shout broke from the whites and the men leaped up in an excess of joy. Virrhage turned on them furiously. *' Down, dogs ! " he cried in Dutch. " Would you lose all now that it is within your grasp? " He strode back and forth for a moment, while his followers sank to the ground again and the silence of the forest brooded once more upon the scene; then he turned and fronted the chief, standing straight and rigid as the tall pines about him. '' Your words are good, O Sachema," he an- swered. " Let us have the treasure, that we may be upon our way to tell the Great White Chief that the Algonklns stand our friends and will be as brothers to us in the days to come." For an instant the Sachem stood gazing at the white man before him. *' See to it, O white brother, that you guard the treasure as faithfully as has the red man with whom the Great Spirit has let it, for a time, abide." He half chanted the words, then, with a gesture that brought every brave to his feet, he walked swiftly away, the other Indians following. " The prize is won, Kapltein," came the shout as the men clustered around Virrhage. " Think you 'twill be nuggets as big as hen's eggs? " cried one. *' I've heard Kieft said the gold could be brushed up with a besom! " exclaimed another. " Nay, 'tis the mine we want," a third protested. The Treasure 5 " You may count yourselves lucky an you get off with whole skins," muttered Virrhage. " Saw you not that it was touch and go with us? We'll not grumble at the size of the lumps, nor press the mat- ter of their hiding-place in the earth." " Are we then to be put off with a hatful of odds and ends, when a fortune for each of us awaits the taking?" the other demanded. " Aye, that's well thought of," was the murmured comment, as the men closed in upon their leader. *' Dolts! " grunted Virrhage, under his breath. " Nay, Kapitein, 'tis the source we need to learn," the grumbler insisted. " And we must e'en rest satisfied with what we can get I " Virrhage retorted. " Art minded to force me to play the fool? If so, you've mistook your man." " But Kapitein —'' " Be silent and listen to me," Virrhage cut in sharply. "' The savages are ten to one of us. 'Tis plain we cannot force the issue now. A false step, and they would be upon us in a twinkling. Be patient and all will be well. Let us have but a sackful of their nuggets and I'll warrant a company will start out from Nieuw Amsterdam ere the month is gone. We have gained our treasure when we have proof that the gold is here and that the savages can point the place." " Aye, an you would have us share our fortunes with that same company from Nieuw Amsterdam," came the churlish answer. " A plague upon your grumblings — ," Virrhage began, but ere he could continue, a wail of woe filled the forest and stilled the argument. Through the motionless trees there came a moan- ing as of a multitude of mourners chanting a hymn of farewell to some one well-beloved. So unex- 6 A Maid of Old Manhattan pected was this song of sorrow, so filled with bitter pain, that even the rough Dutchmen felt its profound grief and moved uneasily. Virrhage himself, indif- ferent to the softer side of life, glanced sidewise at his companions to note the effect upon them, his face set grim to hide his emotions. For a long minute the lament rose and fell like the distant tolling of a bell of bronze; then, as suddenly as it had begun, It ceased, and the silence of the woods wrapped the listeners as in a shroud. " Right glad am I to have an end to that," mut- tered Virrhage, in an undertone. ** 'Tis the mournfulest sound ever met my ears," said one of his men, and the others nodded. For a time they stood without speaking, peering through the darkness beyond the fire toward the clus- ter of wigwams, and presently tall forms began to move among the stately tree trunks. Slowly, two by two, the painted braves returned, walking deliber- ately until they reached the fire. Here the lead- ers separated, taking their places one upon each side of the glowing coals, and those who followed did likewise until a lane was formed leading back into the gloom of the forest. Down this lane Virrhage and his men gazed with an ever-increasing sense of bewilderment and mystery. Then, at the end of it, there appeared three figures. With measured tread they came, until at last, they entered the circle of light and halted, facing the whites across the leaping flames. Upon the right stood the Sachem, his head held high and his feath- ered bonnet seeming to touch the lower branches of the trees so tall was he. Upon the left, a squaw, bowed in sorrow, with her arms falling stiffly at her sides, and between them was a little child. CHAPTER II AN EMPTY TRIUMPH THAT the child was the centre of this savage ceremony was all too plain to Jan Virrhage, and at the sight of her his heart misgave him. She was a little girl of perhaps six years and, as she stood with the light from the fire playing on her gay costume, she was indeed a wondrous sight to behold. She was clad in doeskins so thickly orna- mented with beads, porcupine quills, and zaswant that scarce a square inch of the soft hide was visible. Her black hair, braided and bound in red, was topped with an eagle feather. Upon her feet were moc- casins fit for a princess, and about her neck hung a double chain of polished shells. Virrhage noted all this at a glance, and although he realized that never in his wide experience with the Indians had he seen a child so richly clad, it was the little girl's face that held his attention. Her skin was of a reddish hue and glistened in the flick- ering light like polished copper; but it was stained with the juice of a berry in common use among the red men. Virrhage needed no prolonged scrutiny of her dainty features to convince him that the child was white, and herein he found the kernel of a mys- tery which had been puzzling him throughout the parleys. The child was the treasure of which the Sachem had been talking while Virrhage had thought only of gold. The Indian word meant anything that was precious and the savages, who prized not the yellow 7 8 A Maid of Old Manhattan metal, would scarce think of using it as the white man had done. This Virrhage now understood; but for his life he dared not show that aught had gone awry. He had boasted knowledge of this treasure and of his power to take it. He had even hinted at a supernatural gift, which in the early days the red men were wont to attribute to the whites, and in all ways he had proclaimed a high authority to seize upon that which he sought. It would be fatal to let them suspect that he was less than all wise and all powerful. Should he now throw dis- credit upon his pretensions — should he so much as show surprise — the Indians would put a swift and horrible end to his explanations. Moreover he realized that he had reached the heart of their secret. All this went through the man's mind in a flash, while the two parties faced each other across the council-fire for the last time. Virrhage saw failure to his enterprise, a month of hardship and suffering wasted, a mutinous crew of followers to control upon the down-river journey; but he had his life and theirs to save, and he faced the situation with the same hardihood that had brought him through many a tight place in the past. For an instant only did he hesitate; then turning to the men behind him he issued his warning. " We have been fishing in a muddy stream," he muttered in Dutch. " The child is their treasure, and they know naught of gold. See to it that you betray naught of your disappointment; for if you do, I tell you plain, you are as good as dead men." With that he fronted the Sachem and taking a step to one side of the fire he stretched forth his hand. " Is this the child, O Sachema? " he asked. The tall Indian, putting an arm about the shoul- An Empty Triumph 9 ders of the little girl, drew her to him and together they moved slowly to where Virrhage stood. " It is the child, O white brother," answered the Sachem, and stepped back a pace, leaving the small figure between them. Virrhage, taking the child's hand, was about to speak when his eye was caught by the figure of the squaw beside the Sachem. She had Hfted her head and was gazing at the little girl with such a look of yearning love that even the rough Dutchman felt a tug at his heartstrings. For a moment she stood thus, all the pain and sorrow of this parting pictured in her face; then stooping, she gathered up a handful of ashes. *' Annetl My little Annet ! " she wailed, and cast- ing the ashes upon her head she quitted the scene with dragging steps. The small hand clasped in Virrhage's twitched and the man felt a trembling run through the little body beside him; but when he looked down, the girl's face was as stoical and Impassive as were those of the braves who watched, unwinking. Again he was about to speak but ere he could open his lips the Sachem's deep voice broke the silence. " Listen, O white brother," he began. " For many moons the Pale Blossom at your side has dwelt among us and is become as the heart of the tribe. As the rarest flowers are sometimes found growing in the blackest mire, so came she to us out of the arms of the dead. To us she has been as the warmth of the sun, as the light of the stars, as the perfume of spring buds. Well have we guarded her! The prizes of the hunt, the ripest fruits and tenderest grains have been hers. The softest skins and thick- est furs were fashioned for her covering. Well have we guarded her I Now she returns to her own lo A Maid of Old Manhattan people and the hearts of the Algonklns are turned to ashes. The White Chief calls for her and we must heed the summons; but O my brother, the sun will never shine so brightly, the laughter in the wigwams will be hushed, the singing of the birds will bring no joy when she is gone. Guard her well, O my brother I Guard her well! For the Great Spirit guides her footsteps and woe betide the one who injures her." For an instant he paused and looked longingly at the little maid; then straightening to his full height he gazed fixedly at Virrhage and slowly raising his arm slowly pointed to the south. *' Go ! *' he called in a loud voice. " You have had your wish. Your treasure has been restored to you. Our sorrow we would bear alone. Go ! " There was no mistaking the meaning of these final words. It was a command to be executed forth- with, and Virrhage knew well that this was no time for delay. Never had he seen an Indian display so much feeling, and he would scarce rest easy till they were well upon their way to Nieuw Amsterdam. Should the Sachem repent of his decision, should his evident love for the little girl get the better of his cool judgment, then would he see to it that no news of their expedition ever reached the White Chief in whose name the demand had been made. *' We hear your words, O Sachema, and will guard the treasure well," Virrhage answered, and again taking the hand of the silent little figure beside him he led her away; his band following in silence. No word was spoken till the party of whites reached their camp, a quarter of a mile or so below the Indian village. There, as Virrhage well ex- pected, the grumbling broke forth. " And is this to be the end of our venture? " An Empty Triumph 1 1 That was the burden of their talk and VIrrhage knowing the sort of men with whom he had to deal was none too sure that, in the bitterness of their chagrin, he would be able to control them. " Be silent I " he commanded, holding to his bold front. *' It would be more seemly were you down on your marrow-bones giving thanks for your lives instead of blustering at me. Think you that we are not watched even now? I tell you there are sure to be scores of savage eyes upon us as we talk here. Saw you not that it was like to break the Sachema's heart to part with the little maid? If he repent, it will be short shrift for us." " He may have back the maid for all of us," came the surly answer. " Aye, and good riddance," VIrrhage agreed, '' but that we dare not tell him, as you would know right well an you used your thick wits." " But where is the gold? We want the gold! " The snarling chorus rose menacingly. " Will you be silent? " VIrrhage cried above the clamour of their anger; but even as he spoke the tall form of the chief glided Into their midst and stood protectlngly beside the child, his tomahawk lifted to strike. VIrrhage leaped to his feet, with upraised arms, palms outward as a sign of peace. " Stay thy hand, O Sachema," he pleaded. ** I like not the sound of your voices, O white brother," the Indian cut in sharply. " The words I could not understand, but they ring not with the joy of those whose arrow has hit the mark. You have found your treasure. Why then are your words like the angry waters of a swollen stream? " '' Nay, we but dispute the pathway of our journey back," VIrrhage replied lightly. " That our search 12 A Maid of Old Manhattan is ended and our mission fulfilled, we do rejoice, O Sachema ! " and he forced a smile into his weather- beaten countenance. ''Grin, you fools!" he murmured, In Dutch, to his companions, and they, seeing the nearness of their peril, jumped to their feet and capered about in simulated hilarity, laughing hoarsely for their very lives. For a moment or two the Sachem watched them, his glittering eyes searching each face In turn, and at length the lifted tomahawk was slowly lowered. A gentle rustling in the woods nearby, a half-heard sigh, as of held breath suddenly released, a stealthy shuffling of the fallen leaves, were signs a-plenty to warn Virrhage that perchance a hundred savages but awaited the signal to kill upon the Instant. Thus it was with a feeling of intense relief that he saw the Sachem turn to leave them; but the child, suddenly rising, held out her arms in mute appeal. " Nay, flower of my heart, It cannot be," mur- mured the Indian, bending to the little form. " To thine own people thou must return. The wigwam of the Sachem is as an empty shell." He stood upright, lifting his face to the heavens, as If In prayer. " Guard her well! " he cried at length, fixing his gaze upon Virrhage menacingly, then stepping back, he was lost to view among the trees. *' Guard her well, O white brother!" came the final call from out the forest, and as If transfixed the Dutchmen held their places rigidly, straining their ears to catch the sound of departing foot-steps. After a time, from miles away, the long drawn howl of a lo«nely wolf reached them faintly, and with a shudder they sought their sleeping places, saying naught further of the gold they coveted. An Empty Triumph 13 Virrhage made a bed for the child, taking pains that the balsam boughs were of the finest, and when she had laid herself down, he covered her with his blanket. She obeyed him when he spoke to her in the Indian language, but of Dutch she seemingly had no knowledge. To himself the man had a ready explanation of her history. It was no unheard-of thing to find white children among the savages. In their raids among the lonely bouweries they sometimes spared a baby and took it away with them. This little maid might easily be such an one and he searched his memory for some well-nigh forgotten tale of a rich Dutch patroon who had perchance offered many guilders for the return of his infant daughter. He was not minded to go back quite empty-handed, so for more than one reason he determined to have a care for the strange little girl. The more he thought of a possible reward for her discovery the more pleased he became at the prospect; but he resolved to say nothing of this to his men. He was satisfied that, for a time at least, their fear of the Indians would keep them tractable. Afterward he would see. Jan Virrhage threw himself down at the feet of the child and went to sleep. Early the next morning the party began their journey home. A three days' march, through the dense forests was ahead of them before they would reach their boat, moored in the upper reaches of the Mauritius. By swamp and thicket they must pass, stumbling over age-old stumps of trees, cutting a path in the tangle of wild grape, plodding wearily up hill and down, with naught to cheer them on their way. They set about it doggedly, always conscious that eyes they could not see were upon them and fearful 14 A Maid of Old Manhattan that some false step would bring swift death from the dreaded tomahawk. On the very morning of their start they learned that they were still silently followed. A fresh-killed fawn lay near the fire, and none knew whence it had come. Again, a basket of mulberries left beside the child showed all too plainly the purpose of this un- seen attendance, and although not one of the party caught so much as a glimpse of an Indian or heard aught save the cries of wild animals, none doubted that their every movement was noted and all grew restive under the gaze of these hidden watchers. They reached their boat at noon of the third day and tumbling into it, made haste to put a breadth of water betwixt them and the haunted shore. Their nerves had been stretched to breaking by the constant menace about them, and when the current of the river swung their craft out into the centre of the great stream, they could not forbear a shout of ** Look! " cried one of them, pointing shoreward. *'Look!'; On a high, bald bluff stood the Sachem and beside him his squaw, with arms outstretched toward the boat. The child with a sob, the first sign of emotion she had shown, jumped to her feet, and Virrhage, fearing that she might fall, caught her about the waist and steadied her, while the boat slipped through the water with gathering speed as the north wind filled the sail. In silence those in the boat watched the shore, as the distance between grew wider and wider. At length, quite suddenly, the two figures on the bluff vanished; but across the water there floated the faint echo of a plaintive cry. *' O Annet I My little Annet ! '' CHAPTER III A STRANGE PEDLAR IN the ten years following Jan VIrrhage's profit- less adventure among the Indians to the north, the little town of Nieuw Amsterdam, situate upon the south end of the Isleland of the Manhad- does, had grown busy and prosperous under the ef- ficient if somewhat arbitrary rule of his High Mighti- ness Peter Stuyvesant, Director General of the Dutch West India Company's province of Nieuw Nederlandt. With this prosperity came better houses, cleaner streets and more comfortable living conditions gen- erally; for the thrifty Hollanders, remembering their old homes, had done their utmost to make the new colony as much like their native land as the circumstances of the country would permit. There were canals and water-ways a-plenty, and clumsy windmills dotted the land here and there; but per- haps the most characteristic feature was the profu- sion of flowers, blooming in glorious abundance dur- ing the spring and summer in the little gardens sur- rounding the gabled houses. In one of the brightest of these patches stood the tiny cottage of Vrouw Pelgrom. It was conven- iently placed in the Marckvelt Steegie, a lane con- necting the Market-place by the Fort, with the Heere Graft, a canal leading from the bay well up into the town. Moreover it was at no great distance from the dwellings of the Mevrouwen, as the Dutch IS 1 6 A Maid of Old Manhattan called their fine ladles, (which fact was of vast Im- portance to Vrouw Pelgrom,) and the house was not too prominently placed, so it made small difference to the dame if her nearest neighbours were of the commonality. She herself was no better born and had little ambition to rise above her station In life. Nor would any such ambition have been tolerated, for the high society of Nieuw Amsterdam was as careful of its dignities and as mindful of its class distinctions as any Court town in Europe. And yet, many a haughty Mevrouw in search of beautifying found her way, soon or late, to this humble little house, for it was the business of the dame to minister to the small vanities of the gentle- women of the colony. For moles or warts, for freckles, sunbrown or scanty locks there were none whose remedies equalled those to be found there. Pomades and perfumes, salves and ointments, bear's grease for the hair and colour for faded cheeks were all to be had for a price; nor did the dame hesitate to vow roundly that her medicines and drafts were as efficacious for the inner man as those of any learned doctor in the province. In short Vrouw Pelgrom did a thriving trade, and waxed fat and prosperous as the town grew in wealth and popu- lation. One warm day in May, In the year 1663, a man with a pack a-top his back came briskly up the Marck- velt Steegle and stopped before the cottage. He glanced sharply at the herbs between the beds of brilliant tulips showing bravely In the afternoon sun, and nodded his head as if they satisfied him that he had found the place he sought; then mounting the steps of the stoep he pushed in through the door without ceremony. Upon his entrance the sad, monotonous humming A Strange Pedlar 17 of the spInnlng-wheel was silenced and Vrouw Pel- grom looked up in surprise, her foot upon the treadle slowly staying its motion. The breath of fresh air he had admitted was grate- ful in that over-scented room; but a girl of some fifteen years, busily braying herbs in a mortar for one of the dame's famous pomades, never raised her eyes from her task. She had been early taught to hold down her head and to look neither right nor left at the lifting of the latch; which indeed was a needful precaution from the very nature of Vrouw Pelgrom's business. Her Mightiness Mevrouw Henricxs, for example, was little like to come often to a woman who let any one stare at her while the hairs yet sprouted from her chin. Nor would the Van der Donck young ladies be well pleased if it were noised abroad that the roses In their cheeks owed aught to " French rooge '^ carefully com- pounded by a fat old Dutch woman of Nieuw Am- sterdam, and there were other fair ones of the town In like case. So the maid who helped Vrouw Pel- grom went on with her task as if naught had oc- curred. But, though her eyes were fixed upon her work, her ears were sharp to catch the slightest sound, and the noise of a snap-sack set heavily upon the floor told her that here was one out of the ordinary run of their visitors. "What are your needs, good dame?" the man began at once, in the sing-song patter of the pedlar. " I've fine pins and needles from Holland and rare laces from France. Fve nose-cloths fit for a prin- cess and linen stockings none need feel ashamed to wear. Fve combs for the hair, brass earrings, cop- per buckles and beads to make — ." *' Nay now," Vrouw Pelgrom interrupted with a 1 8 A Maid of Old Manhattan deep chuckle, *' we be not red Indians to hang your gaudy beads about our persons.'* " Count the beads unsaid," the man returned quickly, " and yet," he went on with a glance at the girl by the table, " 'tis in my mind that these might well become your fair daughter," and he held up a string of blue ones temptingly. *' Daughter she Is not," Vrouw Pelgrom retorted, " nor fair, neither, as is plain to be seen; but dark as any Mohawk." *' Nay, good Vrouw, you miss my meaning — " the man began, but she cut In tartly. " I take your meaning well enough," she said. " Get you to your business or leave me to mine. The day will be spent ere I finish my stint an I listen longer to your chatter." The portly dame eyed the man sharply as she spoke, for there was that about him that set her wondering if he was indeed only the pedlar he pro- claimed himself. The stranger, busy at his snap-sack, fumbled with its contents and at length held up a pair of brilliant red stockings. '' Saw you ever such clocks? " he cried admiringly. '' I'll warrant they'll set off a well-turned ankle finely when it moves in the dance." Vrouw Pelgrom threw back her head and laughed aloud, her fat sides shaking In her mirth. The man, taking advantage of this, glanced furtively at the girl beside the table as if to note how far he had Intrigued her interest; but for all he could observe his talk of blue beads and bright-hued stockings had fallen upon deaf ears. " Ho ! Ho ! " Vrouw Pelgrom burst out mock- ingly, " you come to the right party with your gaudy hosiery! The dealer who offers spectacles to the A Strange Pedlar 19 blind, or dancing-slippers to the lame Is like to go hungry to bed," she ended dryly. In truth she weighed twenty stone and had given up all thought of ankles and waist for many years. " Nay, good dame," the pedlar answered readily, " green at my trade I may be, but though 'tis my first visit to Nieuw Amsterdam yet knew I enough not to pack perfumes and essences. The reputation of Vrouw Pelgrom's still warned me that I should lack a market for such wares." Now It Is the nature of the Dutch to be suspicious of soft words, and Vrouw Pelgrom was no excep- tion to the rule. She dropped her half-bantering manner and glanced sharply at the man kneeling on the floor before his pack. She began to suspect that It was rather to buy than to sell that he had come, but of this she could In no wise be sure as yet. She was certain, however, that she would do well to be upon her guard until his true purpose stood revealed. " 'Tis well for me you spare my poor trade," she said, with a hint of raillery In her tone. " Seeing that you keep no fire and no light, beside escaping all shop taxes, to undersell me you could well afford." " Nay, ' live and let live,' Is my motto," the man hastened to assure her. " I am but striving to make a start In life. When I have earned money enough, perchance I shall buy a burgher right and settle down." " Meanwhile you would tempt me to break the law by buying from one who has no shop ! " The dame retorted. " Twixt friends there's naught for sale," he an- swered readily. *' Should you like one of my trin- kets — " he shrugged invitingly, '* I give It to you freely. And you, not to be beholden to me, present me with a florin or two." 20 A Maid of Old Manhattan "Good lack I" cried the dame. "A florin or two! The Director General is right when he for- bids us to trade with such as you. You would carry all the minted money out of the province. If there are to be gifts between us, you must rest content with zeewant or a mink skin." " All's one as to that," the man replied. " But touching his High Mightiness, the Governor, 'tis said his bark is worse than his bite." " He has a long arm to reach law breakers," Vrouw Pelgrom answered cautiously. " Aye, but a ready wink for certain sorts of trade," the man insisted, lowering his voice. For a moment the two eyed each other under- standingly, Vrouw Pelgrom seeing plainly that she had not got to the meat of the pedlar's errand. With none by to listen, the affair might the more quickly come to a head. Having this in mind she turned toward the girl. " Annetje," she said, " do not forget thy linen." The girl put down her pestle and for the first time looked squarely at the pedlar. She had taken for granted that he was a man of middle age at least, but she faced a youth little more than a boy in years, and very personable. In spite of his well-worn, clumsily cut duffles and the dust of the road upon him, he yet had a certain air that seemed fitter for finer raiment. Perhaps something of the surprise she felt showed in her face, for the man, with a short nod as if what he saw in her expression satisfied him, dropped his eyes to his pack. " I will go at once, Vrouw Pelgrom," she an- swered, and taking off her apron hung it up and started for the door. " Bring first my strings of wampum, Annetje," the dame commanded, and the girl disappeared into an A Strange Pedlar 21 inner room, returned at once with a bulky bag which she deposited in the Vrouw's ample lap. " See that thou comest to no harm, my dear,'* said the old woman, and there was a look of affection in her fat, round face as her eyes followed the girl to the door. Annetje turned to her with a smile of reassurance and went out upon the stoep. '' And now what is the real nature of your busi- ness with me?" she heard Vrouw Pelgrom ask sharply, as she started up the Steegie toward the Heere Graft. Annetje, thinking naught more of the pedlar or his affairs, went quickly upon her errand until she reached the high fence protecting the town upon the north. Picking her way on the stepping-stones across the muddy lane bordering the palisade, she could scarce have guessed that it was destined to become the most famous street on the American Continent. She had no trouble in finding a breach in the bar- ricade for it was in a vile state of disrepair, many of the palings having been chopped up for firewood — and once through she was in the open country, free to take her own pathway to her goal. She still went northward, heading for the Maagde Paetje, or Virgin's Path, an open grassy place on the upper bank of a brook where the maids of Nieuw Amster- dam washed and dried their clothes. It was the custom of the girls to take turns at standing guard while the linen bleached in the sun, for although Governor Stuyvesant had ordered all domestic animals confined, and the hogs had ringed noses since they had rooted up the streets and nigh rooted down the Fort, there were many dogs at large, and it was needful to have some one upon the 22 A Maid of Old Manhattan watch. On this day Grietje Olpherts was in charge, and she came to meet Annetje with a long face. "Oh, pray, blame me not!" she cried, ere An- netje had reached her side. " The old grey goose and her flock walked right across Vrouw Pelgrom's cornet cap." And she held it up by one muddied string. Annetje took It without a word of reproach while Grietje stuttered out her explanation. " The man had such beautiful coral pendants with hooks that gleamed like gold," she went on. " I had never seen the like before — and whiles I tried them on and stole but one look In the mirror he held to see how they set me, the old goose — ." " Nay, 'tis a great pother to make over so small a matter," Annetje interrupted, as she knelt by the stream to wash the cap anew, with Grietje standing by irresolute. " I wish I had cleansed It for you," she said, half complainlngly. " I would have done so, indeed I would, had I not feared to tear it. The stuff is as tender as cobwebs." " Waste no more words over it," Annetje insisted. *' I must e'en take it home wet, that's all." " If you would but scold I think I would not mind so much," Grietje whined. " Were it any girl but you I should have a fine rating. 'Tis as I told the pedlar, you are not like us at all! " " What like of a man was this pedlar? " Annetje questioned, with a glance upward over her shoulder. *' I vow he was most personable," Grietje an- swered with enthusiasm, glad to change the subject, " and like no pedlar ever I saw before. He was no crotchety old skinflint, but young and most engaging In manner; though he seemed somewhat artless at his business." A Strange Pedlar 23 "Aye," agreed Annetje, *' he is Indeed a queer sort of merchant who seeks his customers among the laundry women at the brook who haven't the worth of a florin piece among them. To me It seems fitter that one who wants to sell his wares should carry them to the fat purses of the Perel Straat or the Hooge Straat rather than to the flat ones of the Marckvelt Steegie." " Mean you he went to Vrouw Pelgrom's to see you? " exclaimed Grietje, vastly Interested. " Nay, not to see me, but to sell to Vrouw Pel- grom," Annetje answered shortly. " 'Twas naught of the kind took him to the Marckvelt Steegie," Grietje Insisted positively. ^' 'Twas you he went to see. Once I had told him all I could of you, no more time would he give to me. I begged him for one last look at the coral danglers, but no! He snapped shut his portmantle and was off at a trot. What say you to that? " " That I am no peep-show to be gaped at without payment of a stuyver! " Annetje retorted rising to her feet and gently wringing the water from the cap in her hand, '' and hereafter, Grietje Olpherts, I'll thank you to remember not to call my name nor tell my story to every chance-met stranger that comes riding Into town upon a Narraganset pacer." " Hey day," cried Grietje, *' here's a great todo because I mentioned you In friendly speech." " I do not hold with such sudden friendships," Annetje rejoined frigidly. Grietje tossed her head, angered at the rebuff. " Nay, you're as proud as the Muscovy Duke, great Stuyvesant himself,'^ she burst out wrathfully. '' 'TIs as all the maids say. You are not like us with your silent ways and cold speech. 'Tis in my mind you're not Dutch at all." 24 A Maid of Old Manhattan "Not Dutch?" said Annetje quickly. "What other could I be? The Indians themselves always said I was a paleface." " The wilden are but savages and know naught," Grietje retorted, gathering up her linen. " You're more like the English who think themselves vastly superior to us and mix only with Mevrouwen and Heeren. 'Tis a fine pass we've come to, an I may not name Annetje Pelgrom to * chance-met stran- gers! '"^ Annetje made no reply and Grietje seized her packed hampers, fastened them to a yoke and, stoop- ing under it, lifted her burden. " I leave your High Mightiness to walk home alone," she sneered and, with a final toss of her head, she went off. Annetje seemed not at all affected by this spiteful outburst of Grietje's. She examined the cap she held and, finding that It still bore the marks of the grey goose's promenade, stooped and dipped It in the stream once more. She rinsed It carefully and when it was quite clean spread It upon the grass, seating herself upon a stone nearby. She made a beautiful and appealing figure as she sat alone in the red glow of the setting sun. Her black hair, In striking contrast with her white cap, grew peaked over her brow and low on her temples, but was brushed back, without the pomatum or candling other Dutch maidens thought needful, and fell in two thick braids behind. Her eyes, large and long In shape, were brown, and fringed with curved lashes, showing clearly against a skin the colour of old ivory that had the tinge of glowing youth be- neath. A nose, straight and fine cut, was evidence that she lacked not strength of purpose; but It was her mouth that held the eye. The lips were very A Strange Pedlar 25 red, no Cupid's bow but wide and mobile. And they had a trick of closing firmly over her strong, small teeth as if they meant to keep all her secrets within. Now they drooped a little, for feeling her- self alone, there was no need to guard the portal of her speech, and this gave a hint of sadness to her face, and added a maturity beyond her years. In truth, Annetje was more puzzled than sad, as she sat thinking over her past life. For Grietje's ill-temper she cared not at all, but the girl's angry words had set her reflecting upon herself. Could it be possible that she was English as Grietje had hinted? She had never before doubted that Dutch blood ran in her veins nor did she hail this new suggestion with joy. Yet she realized that she was unlike the other maids with whom she asso- ciated. She could not chatter lightly of her thoughts and feelings as they did, and so she often kept silent, attending to her own affairs and earning a reputation for pride. Nevertheless she had no consciousness of holding herself aloof, nor did she think herself in any way their superior. Inwardly she recognized some subtle difference, but until that moment she had never sought an explanation. Could it be that Grietje had hit upon a true solution of the puzzle? She sat awhile musing, then suddenly raised her head. " Well," she said aloud, " at least I am Dutch enough not to like the EngHsh." " That must be because you do not know them," a voice from behind her said, and turning she looked up into the face of the young pedlar, who had come across the sward unheard. CHAPTER IV A CHANCE ENCOUNTER A NNETJE felt both surprise and annoyance at i\ this unexpected appearance of the pedlar but -*■ -^ she showed neither the one nor the other. She was as quick to hide her feehngs as any Indian, and the young man saw but a tightening of the lips as she rose to her feet and without haste began to gather together her wash. He watched her for a moment or two, finding it hard to believe in her complete indifference to him, then doffed his hat politely and spoke again. '* If I have offended," he said pleasantly, '' I stand ready to make amends, an you will but say wherein the offence lies." *' There can be no quarrel betwixt strangers," An- netje answered calmly, " so there need be no talk of amends." " It is to break down the barrier of strangeness that I have sought you out," the man replied rather eagerly. " There is that 'twixt us which should make us friends, at least." He emphasized the last words and looked searchingly at the girl. Annetje met his eyes, trying to read In them the meaning that lay behind his speech. She had evi- dence in plenty that he had sought her with set intent. His talk to Grietje, his prompt visit to Vrouw Pel- grom and his following her to the Maagde Paetje left no room for doubt that she was the object of his quest. For what purpose she could in no wise guess, but that it was a secret one was plain, else 26 A Chance Encounter 27 why did he not speak out when first he had seen her? She regarded the man for a time, uncertain of her ground but thoroughly distrustful of him; while he, noting something of her hesitancy and guessing the cause of it, changed his tactics again. " Indeed I meant not to presume," he said, with an air of great straightforwardness. *' I am very lonesome in this strange town and you, being a gentle little maid, I thought might take pity on me and perchance advise where I had best go to sell my wares, that I may the sooner be home again among my kinsfolk." The appeal to Annetje's generosity brought instant response. " 'Tis true you show most wonderful bad judg- ment as a merchant," she answered, quite disarmed. " Indeed I have much to learn," he agreed good- naturedly. " Tell me wherein I may better my selling?" ^ " By going to the houses of the rich," Annetje replied, in the tone of one instructing a child. " There you may dispose of your goods readily and be in slight danger of having an information laid against you." " Sure the pedlar's law is not observed," the man protested. " Count not on that," Annetje warned him. " Ask your way from house to house, and venture not to the door of a burghermeester or schepen lest perchance they seize the opportunity to prove their zeal before the Governor, who is not one to deal lightly with those who set his regulations at naught." " I thank you for that word of caution." The man spoke with seeming sincerity. " What else would you advise? " " For one thing," said the girl, " you waste your 28 A Maid of Old Manhattan time trying to sell to such as I and Grietje Olpherts/' " Do you not earn a wage that you may spend as you please? " the pedlar interrupted with feigned surprise. "Among the English — ." " I knew you were never a Hollander," Annetje laughed triumphantly, pleased with her own sharp- ness. *' They're keen on the scent of money and none can better them in buying and selling." '' Better them,'' repeated the pedlar, hfting his brows. " 'Tis plain you know you are not Dutch else would you have said ' us.' " " What mean you? " demanded Annetje. " That the English should stand together," he answered, looking at her meaningly. To Annetje the purport of his words was plain enough and her lips tightened. For the second time within the hour the suggestion had been made that she was English and there was something in the man's manner that hinted at a special knowledge of the matter. She did not hide from herself the fact that she would have given a good deal to learn what that special knowledge might be; but it was quite impossible for her to discuss personal affairs with a stranger. She had found it difficult to talk of herself even with Vrouw Pelgrom of whom she was very fond, and that good dame had more than once reflected upon Annetje's seeming indifference to her own early history. So now, in spite of a strong de- sire to question the pedlar, Annetje turned from him and busied herself with packing her hampers. The man lacked not a certain shrewdness, and realizing that he had moved too fast in his desire to gain the maid's confidence, he held his peace until she stooped to pick up her baskets. '' Let me help you," he said, politely, stepping forward and offering a hand. A Chance Encounter 29 Annetje, annoyed, shook her head, and started upon her way home. She wished now to be alone to puzzle out for herself the meaning that lay behind the stranger's words; but he had no intention of quitting her as yet and paced beside her for a time in silence. *' 'Tis plain," he began at length, " that you dis- trust me. I am sorry, but to prove that you need have no doubt of me I am going to put my life in your hands." He paused and eyed her closely while she gave no sign of even having heard him. *' I am not the pedlar I would have the Dutch be- lieve," he went on quietly. " I play at that game to gain certain ends that will be useful in the days to come." "You are an English spy!" Annetje exclaimed, coming to a halt and seating herself by her baskets. " Call it what name pleases you," the man returned coolly, standing beside her. " 'Tis all one, so long as the stupid Hollanders think me but a harmless merchant; but as you are not Dutch, so — " *' How know you that I shall not tell the authori- ties? " she demanded, breaking in upon his words. " Because I judge you are not one to betray a confidence," he answered. " And moreover," he went on, dropping his voice to a significant whisper, *' when the English take the province you will have your rights." Annetje's lips opened to frame the question upper- most in her mind, but of a sudden they closed tightly again. *' We part here," she remarked after a moment's silence. " Nay, our ways lie together," he replied smoothly. " I lodge but two cottages above you with honest Claes Van Elslandt, the sexton." 30 A Maid of Old Manhattan " You had best go on alone," Annetje replied. " You will have two minutes start of me while I fix my baskets so that they balance better." In truth her burden was already arranged to her liking, but she longed to be rid of the man without offence so made this excuse. " I do not mind waiting," the pedlar rejoined, smiling broadly. " *Tis late for a maid to be alone. There are red-skins on the island." " I have no fear of Indians," Annetje retorted curtly. " Oh, but I have ! " the pedlar replied, with a playful chuckle. " Then you should leave here," the girl replied, angered at his persistence, and of a sudden she clapped her hands smartly. They were still in the woods, and at her signal there was a rustling in the thicket near them and a tall Indian brave strode to her side and stood mo- tionless. For an instant the pedlar gasped in amazement; then, with something of an effort, he recovered his composure sufficiently to doff his hat to the girl. " I see you need no protection from me," he mur- mured, and straightway set off toward the town. Annetje, with a sigh of relief, gathered up her baskets and started on. This time she skirted the barrier and made for the Breede Weg which would lead her through the gate and thence to the market- place near her home. The Indian watched her silently, making no move to help her with her baskets, but evidently alert to guard her from all harm. For a time they went on through the woods, the tall savage leading to show the easiest route, until presently they came out upon the road where he dropped back to her side. '* When the English take the Province you will have you rights — " A Chance Encounter 31 " The paleface has the eyes of a weasel," the brave said suddenly, in his own language, referring to the pedlar. " He meant no harm to me," Annetje replied in the Indian tongue. '' And yet he would not go away. I knew not whether my red brother would be near when I called." " Some one of thy people is always near, O Pale Blossom," the Indian answered in a matter of fact tone. *' But why is some one always there? " she asked. " That is not even for a brave to know, my sister," came the reply. " The Sachem sends forth word that the paleface child is to come to no harm. It has been so for many, many moons. A red brother is always near." " Yes," Annetje said, slowly, " yet why, O red brother? Why? That is the mystery to me." They walked on for a time in silence, drawing nearer to the gate in the barrier, the Indian striding beside the girl, his face set and impassive as he looked straight ahead toward the town. " The Sachem likes it not that his pale daughter- does the work of a low-born squaw," he grunted after a time. *' The Sachem's daughter is a princess and it is not fit that she should do this or that at the bidding of a fat one." '' And yet the Sachem has not sought his pale daughter," said Annetje, half to herself. *' She has not seen his wigwam since she was a little child. Why, O red brother?" " It is not for this warrior to know," the Indian answered. " Yet could the Pale Blossom find that wigwam Hke the arrow its mark did she but give the sign." *' Perchance some day she will go," Annetje re- 32 A Maid of Old Manhattan joined. " The heart of thy sister Is very tender for all who abide in the wigwam of the Sachem, her father, and for her who was her mother there Is a love that Is as deep as is the great river. O my red brother, when the white clouds sail high In the blue sky, and the birds call from tree to tree in the bright light of the sun, when It is the moon of blossoms, then thy sister longs with a great longing for the villages of her people." " Then why does the Pale Blossom not return to the wigwams of the Esopus?" the Indian ques- tioned. Annetje shook her head in perplexity. '* The word went forth that the Pale Blossom must abide with the palefaces," she replied, " so does she abide, waiting for the day when all shall be made clear. Till then all is mystery." The Indian grunted acquiescence. Annetje, by his side, let her thoughts wander, striving for a start- ing point at which she could make a beginning to untangle the skein of her past life. She knew so little of herself, and now new doubts were coming thick and fast. Could it be possible that the pedlar had an answer to the questions crowding in upon her? Was it true that she was indeed English and not Dutch as she had supposed? She resolved to learn more from him, being certain that he would seek her again. Meanwhile the strangely assorted pair came to the gate in the stockade. Passing through they met a small party of distinguished men walking along upon an inspection of the wall. In the lead was an energetic, oldish man, who stumped ahead on a wooden leg bound with bands of silver, beside a fair-faced youth of some sixteen years. They and A Chance Encounter 33 all their companions were bravely dressed as befitted folk of such quality. There was an abrupt halt and Annetje, a little embarrassed at this unexpected encounter, curtseyed and stepped back, awaiting the passing of this gay company although, as she was going south, the pre- cedence was hers. But the gentleman with the wooden leg waved her Annetje, hesitating for a moment, looked up and caught the eye of the youth fixed upon her; then, with a faint blush, she hastened on her way, the Indian stalking at her side. " Know you the maid, Balthazar? " asked the man with the wooden leg. " Nay, father," the lad answered, his look fol- lowing Annetje, as she hurried on. " 'Tis the girl Jan Virrhage rescued from the Indians, your High Mightiness," one of the gentle- men explained. " Ah, now I remember her," said the man with the wooden leg, nodding his head slowly up and down. " That must have been nigh ten years ago. The child has grown into a comely maid. Come, Myneheeren," and off he stumped. But Balthazar Stuyvesant stood for a moment gazing after Annetje's rapidly retreating figure. CHAPTER V A STROKE OF BUSINESS FOR a little Annetje hurried on, forgetting her own perplexities in the novelty of this chance encounter with the haughty old Governor, Peter Stuyvesant. He ruled the little town of Nieuw Amsterdam with an iron hand and was wont to deal out justice with scant regard for the feelings of those with whom he came in contact. At least that was how gossip had it and there were tales a-plenty of his crusty speech and arbitrary bearing, so that it was deemed prudent for ordinary folk to give the fiery dictator a wide birth when he came stumping down the streets. Yet he had shown a grave courtesy to Annetje at their meeting, acknowl- edging her bow and giving her the right of way as he might have to a juSer of his own class. Annetje began to wonder if, indeed, he was so fierce and angry a gentleman as was reputed. " The Great White Chief has the eye of a doe set in the face of an eagle," grunted the Indian at her side. This remark called for no answer and a pace or two further on he spoke again. " A proud man and a just," he said in a deep voice. Annetje nodded half indifferently, for already her mind had turned to the Governor's young son. She had seen him many times before about the streets of the town and given him scarce a thought. Such 34 A Stroke of Business 35 great folk were so high above her In station that she had considered him as belonging to another world. Now his gaze had been searching, but there was naught of rudeness In it; rather was there an expression of surprise and pleasure, as If for the first time he had seen a lovely flower. " I think I should like to talk to him," Annetje said to herself, and then, as she turned Into the squalid unpaved lane, leading to the humble cottage of Vrouw Pelgrom, she gave a little laugh out loud. " 'TIs a silliness to think of such a thing," she murmured, and straightway forgot Balthazar Stuy- vesant. Here, without a word of farewell, the Indian left her, and, at his going, her recollection of why he had come brought Annetje back to a remembrance of her own affairs. As she stepped through the gate In the fence guarding the herb-beds from stray goats and the like, she concluded that It was high time she set out In earnest to discover all that was known of her history; and to this end she determined to question Vrouw Pelgrom at the first opportunity. A warm rush of scented air met her as she opened the side-door of the house. Across the room sat Vrouw Pelgrom, a vast and majestic form In the fading light. " Thou art late, child," she cried good-naturedly, her fat hands never staying In their work, but mov- ing with surprising deftness among her little scoops and spatulas. " The supper must be a cold bite off the roast. Put down thy baskets and hasten with It, or we shall be eating in the dark." Annetje wasted no time but busied herself laying the cloth and setting out the food, while the dame chatted on. *' Fve done a fine stroke of business since last 36 A Maid of Old Manhattan I saw thee, Annetje," she said, triumphantly. " There's a world of work ahead of us." " Now that's good news," Annetje rejoined heart- ily. " Has Mevrouw Van Beylandt returned for help to start the hairs upon her bald head? " " Better than that," asserted the fat dame chuck- ling, " though once again, child, I must warn thee that scoffing at a rich customer is scarce a safe sport." " Nay, I can guard my tongue when there is any one but thee to hear," Annetje answered lightly. " Tell me thy news." " After supper ! After supper ! " grunted Vrouw Pelgrom, turned suddenly crusty, " 'tis not wise to stay the processes of digestion by a river of talk." At that hint Annetje took time to prepare a pitcher of cider, mulled as the dame best relished it, and when all was ready, and Vrouw Pelgrom had struggled out of her chair to fall into another at the table, she placed it at her right hand. *' Ah, child, my weaknesses are known to thee," said the Vrouw as she clutched the mug, " and faith I know them myself. Had I but taken a proper pride in my figure I would have stayed my spoon from the long sauce, and eaten less of oelly koeks and such like." " But now for thy news," Annetje pleaded, with an eager smile across the table. Vrouw Pelgrom looked at her shrewdly for a moment with a bright twinkle in her keen old eyes. " Ho! Ho! " she cried, " 'tis to worm my secret out of me and not for love thou mulled the cider." " Nay, perhaps It was a little of both," Annetje acknowledged. " Tell me quickly, for in truth I cannot wait until thou hast eaten." The dame took another sip from the mug and wiped her lips on the back of her broad hand. A Stroke of Business 37 " Thou art a spoiled child, but here Is my tale," she began. " Thou tookst note of the pedlar who came today? " " Aye," answered Annetje. " Is It to him thou art looking for business? " " To be sure," replied Vrouw Pelgrom. " He's young, I grant thee, but he has enterprise and fore- sight else am I vastly imposed upon." " He seemed but an indifferent merchant to me," Annetje remarked. " Aye, truly did he, at first," the dame admitted, " but thou hadst scarce left the house when he came to the point of his proposal — which Is somewhat secret." " 'TIs guns and rum for the Indians," Annetje broke in, her face darkening. " Nay, 'tis naught of the kind," Vrouw Pelgrom snapped angrily. " You are ever mindful of your painted savages." " They have ever been mindful for me," Annetje replied hotly. " As thou knowest they cared for me as a baby and to this day they guard me. I would not have them made a mock of by wicked men who trade upon their weaknesses to gain a few beaver skins." "And have I not guarded thee as well?" de- manded Vrouw Pelgrom. " Hadst thou been a daughter I could not have loved thee more, and yet 'tis of thy Indians thou art always thinking and I am as an old shoe to be put on or off as It pleases thee." " Nay, 'tis not so," Annetje cried, running to Vrouw Pelgrom and throwing her arms about her. " Thou knowest I love thee, but were I to forget those who were kind to me In the past thou might well believe I would as easily forget thee." 38 A Maid of Old Manhattan " Right well I know thou wilt," Vrouw Pelgrom complained, making a long face and pretending to be much abused. " I am but a fat old woman with nowhere to look for comfort in my old age." " Never will I leave thee," declared Annetje, put- ting her cheek against the dame's and hugging her. " I'm sorry to have vexed thee with my talk of the Indians." " If the truth were told I am jealous of thy In- dians, Annetje," Vrouw Pelgrom confessed, and at that there was a laugh, though tears were near the surface in both their eyes. '' Go back to thy supper, child, and I will finish my tale." With a parting squeeze Annetje returned to her place and Vrouw Pelgrom drank deep of her cider to compose herself. *' Where did I leave off?" she asked a moment later. *' The young pedlar had made a secret proposal just after I left the house," Annetje explained. " Aye, and so he did," Vrouw Pelgrom went on, *' he made it without loss of words and with a frankness that makes me misdoubt that he is Dutch at all. Had I been of that disposition, he would have paid thrice for my wares." " He came then to buy! " Annetje exclaimed In surprise. " Aye," Vrouw Pelgrom nodded. *' I guessed as much ere he had been In the house five minutes." " But where will he sell ? " asked Annetje. *' Sure you win not let him peddle our compounds here in town? " " Nay, in truth Fm not so simple as that," laughed the dame. " He will sell naught of mine In Nieuw Amsterdam; but there are other settlements In this broad land. The young man says, what we already A Stroke of Business 39 know, that the EngHsh Vrouwen are hard featured and bony. They would give much for the soft beauty of the Dutch maidens." " Think you that all the English maidens are so very ugly? " asked Annetje. " The Juffer Allerton Is very handsome to my eyes." And Vrouw Pel- grom failed to hear the faint note of anxiety In her voice. " 'TIs her gay clothes, child, and the fine powder I sell her to blanch her rough skin. They're ugly, every one of them. Let's hope my paste will whiten their long teeth at least," came the prompt answer. " The young man will go as far as the Virginias, he says, and will carry a heavy stock, paying in good hard money for It." " That's fine ! " exclaimed Annetje. '' What commodities does he require? " " Pills enough to furnish nine doctors," the dame announced triumphantly. " Vienna drink, well packed with senna and rhubarb. As I shall make it I vow It will wrestle mightily with all inward qualms. Then will he take perfumes, sweeter than Hungary water, good rooge that never saw France, unguents and — oh, there will be more than enough for our four hands to do for many a day to come. We'd best finish now and be off to bed." She rose ponderously and took up the candle. " 'TIs a fine stroke of business," she added, half to herself, as she turned toward the door of her bed- room. " But wherein lies the secretness of It? " asked Annetje, stirring the fire to a greater blaze. " Know ye not that It is unlawful to barter with the English? " the goodwife, halting for a moment answered question with question. " The great men of the different colonies try mightily to keep all trade 40 A Maid of Old Manhattan in their own hands, trusting thus to make profit at both ends. Therefore it is decreed that the Dutch shall buy and sell only with Holland; the English with Britain; the Spanish with Spain and so on. Thus must we be cautious in our deahngs with those other nations lest we incur the displeasure of the mighty ones to our cost." " So that's the reason the pedlar gave you for his masquerade?" said Annetje. ''Aye, what other could he give?" replied the dame, starting toward the door again. '' He saw 'twas useless to try to befool me. The moment I taxed him with a hidden motive he was quick to disclose his whole plan and ask my advice. ' You're too shrewd for me, dame,' he told me, laughing, and faith he was not far from right, though it took not the wisdom of Solomon to see that he was no proper pedlar! Good-night, my dear. We'll have a bow4 of yockey for breakfast," and with that she quitted the room, closing the door behind her. Left to herself Annetje began to prepare for bed by the light of the fire, but her thoughts were far from the matter in hand. It had been upon the tip of her tongue to tell Vrouw Pelgrom of her encounter with the young pedlar In the Maagde Paetje, but she had held back. In some way the man had put her upon her honour, not to speak of what he had told her. His open avowal of his purpose to spy upon the Dutch had been given In confidence. He had trusted her, and although she had made no pact to keep his secret, yet it seemed to Annetje that she might not, In all honesty, betray him. At the same time she had the feeling that he had tricked her, and realized that Vrouw Pelgrom, for all her A Stroke of Business 41 cleverness, was no match for this youth, whose ap- pearance of trusting innocence was but a cloak to hide his real designs. Annetje slept in the slaap-banck in the kitchen. This was a large closet-like shelf built into the wall, lined with sassafras wood and having a mattress of feathers a-top one of straw. She opened the doors to find her bed-gown hanging from its hook, put it on and knelt to say her evening prayer. As she finished, and was about to settle down for the night, there came a sharp rap upon the window and with a look of joy upon her face she ran to open it. " Come in at once," she whispered, throwing wide one side of the broad casement. " I've been so worried about thee. Come in quickly! I feared that thou hadst forgotten thy Annetje." There was no response to her words and she leaned through the window. "Could it have been the wind after all?" she murmured, but as if in answer a bundle of fur, jumping from some coin of vantage, landed upon her shoulder. It was a racoon, and Annetje, far from being alarmed, laughed happily as she drew back into the room. " Nickje ! " she exclaimed, " thou art truly wicked. I think to tease me is the greatest of thy pleasures." She carried the creature to the fire, lavishing upon it a wealth of caresses, and there rolled it over on its back, talking to it in low tones while she combed out its wonderful fur and made sure that no injury had befallen her pet. " I could scarce sleep for thinking of thee caught in some trap," she whispered. " My worry about thee ha5 made me inattentive and Vrouw Pelgrom 42 A Maid of Old Manhattan has called me ' you ' as if I were a stranger. O Nickje, if thou must go off to the forest why canst thou not take me with thee? " The animal looked at her with sharp wise eyes and nuzzled her lovingly. '* Wait where thou art," said Annetje, jumping up. '' In thy absence thou wert never forgotten. Many goodies have I saved for thee." She was back in a moment, with a bowl of fresh water out of the anker brought that day on the dog-waggon from the Tea-water pump. Setting this upon the hearth she began to feed the racoon, bit by bit. Each morsel he took daintily in his hands, examining it carefully and then washing it in the bowl before he ate it. It did no good for Annetje to dip it in the water. Nickje was sure of no one's housewifery save his own, as Annetje was at pains to tell him gravely. When he had finished his meal she put the re- mainder of the food away and coming back to the fire took him in her lap and began to talk to him, her voice pitched low so as not to disturb Vrouw Pelgrom who could be heard snoring in the next room. *' 'Tis said thou canst not think, Nickje," she mur- mured, " for all thy wise looks and ways. I wonder if 'tis true." She gazed into the fire for a moment as if she saw a picture in the flames. *' Very greatly do I wonder if thou and I are in like case," she went on. " I can remember naught but that they sent for me, who was eating nuts by the cooking fire. Then was I taken to the council and there a man with a white face asked ' Is this the child? ' and the Sachem answered, ' It is the child.' At that my foster mother cried 'Woe I Woe!' and taking up ashes, put them upon her head and went away." A Stroke of Business 43 Annetje pressed her face Into the glossy fur for a moment as If overcome by this dim recollection of her past. " So It came that I was taken from the deep woods and the kindly Indians who had cared for me so tenderly, to be set down here among unfriendly faces. 'TIs all I can remember, NIckje. Didst thou have some such beginning? " The animal nibbled gently at her fingers as If In answer, and the girl went on musingly: " Is there a curtain drawn across thy memory, too? Canst thou remember the hollow tree where thy mother kept thee snug and warm? Or, like me, does thy life begin with a farewell to the friendly forests and then, strange scenes upon every side? " She petted the animal a moment In silence, happy to have him back and finding In the dumb beast an outlet to her pent-up feelings. " 'TIs thy duty, Nick, to love me, as thou know- est," she said playfully, holding him up and looking Into his sharp, fox-like countenance. " See to It that thou fallest not, or I shall complain to the great Peter Stuyvesant, for thou wast but a mewing kitten when I took thee from the boys who were for setting their terrier to worry thee, they being convinced in their own minds that thou wert naught less fearsome than a badger or a wild-cat." She laughed a little at the recollection and then, on a sudden, dropped the animal and sprang across the sanded floor to her bed. It was one of Nickje's favourite amuse- ments to chase Annetje, nipping at her bare toes, for with all his clumsy gait he was quick enough when he had the need. It was a game they played often, and though the girl landed safely in the slaap- banck she must needs pause to brush the sand from the floor pattern off her feet and in that instant the 44 A Maid of Old Manhattan racoon was upon her for a last laughing romp. Then Annetje snuggled down, and the animal rolled off to seek a warm corner near the chim.ney for the night. CHAPTER VI FROM HAND TO HAND VROUW PELGROM and Annetje were up be- times the next morning. The breakfast of cornmeal mush stewed with apples, and thin beer was quickly eaten and before the sun was an hour high in the heavens the two had set to work. There were many busy days in prospect preparing the drugs and cosmetics for the pedlar and soon the kitchen was perfumed with the odour of steeping herbs. Long practise had made both skilful at their tasks and in a little Vrouw Pelgrom was gossiping of this and that, her tongue clacking as speedily as her quick fingers rattled the pestle against the mortar in which she compounded her remedies. " Pass me that spatula, child," she said, breaking in upon a spirited denunciation of the taxes, a topic of complaint of which she never tired. Annetje picked up the horn implement and looked at it a moment thoughtfully. " Handing thee this is the first thing I remember doing for thee," she remarked slowly. '* I could scarce see above the table top then." " Aye, thou wert quick to learn what I needed," answered the dame with a reminiscent smile upon her face. " I never regretted the bargain I made for thee." "Bargain!" exclaimed Annetje. "Was there then a bargain? Truly, it sounds as if I had been put upon the scales like a fat fowl." " And so in a manner wert thou," Vrouw Pelgrom 45 46 A Maid of Old Manhattan replied, her busy hands pausing for a moment. " It has been upon my tongue to tell thee more than once, but I have held my peace." " 'Tis time I knew all that happened to me," An- netje responded. *' Aye," agreed the dame, " thou art growing to be a woman, Annetje. 'Tis fit thou shouldst learn how it came about that a fat old goodwife brought thee into her house to brighten it. But, ere this, thou hast ever seemed indifferent, and I could scarce tell whether my news would be welcome or no." " It would always have been welcome," Annetje replied, " though I could never bring myself to question thee, but as thou sayest, 'tis time I knew all thou canst tell me." " Then let me begin, though 'tis not needful that we should stint our work for the telling," Vrouw Pelgrom suggested. '' Our hands can dance to the tune of it. — Thou knowest that a man named Virr- hage brought thee here? " " Aye," answered Annetje, " but scarce more than that. What tale had he from the Indians of how they found me and where? " " He had none," the dame answered. *' He had sought for treasures of gold and found thee. Doubtless he told not all the circumstances, for he was a rough man and a bully; but he could not in decency leave a white child among the savages and so he brought thee here with a tale of how they had treated thee like a princess and were loth to give thee up. He made much of his Christian spirit, saying that he had risked his life to fetch thee away, and told a fine rigmarole of vindictive savages fol- lowing his party day after day till they took boat; — but no one believed him, and 'tis scarce credible to my thinking." From Hand to Hand 47 '* And there was no word of how a white child had come to be there? " asked Annetje anxiously. '* Nay, never a word. At first Virrhage shook his head wisely, saying that thou wert the daughter of a rich patroon and giving all to understand that he would have a small fortune from thy father. At least, that was the gossip afterward. The man himself stayed not long in the town, but was off again up the river; doubtless to escape his wife, the shrew, who, having six children already, was in no wise minded to harbour a seventh. I judge it was her nagging on thy account that sent him north so soon, for she had a tongue that wagged at both ends and ne'er spoke save to scold or to whine of her mis- fortunes." " Then at the first I was taken by Vrouw Virr- hage?" Annetje put In, fearing the dame would drift off the subject of her tale. " Aye, thou wert, and stayed until the story of thy finding was sent abroad through the province. Virr- hage's wife was content enough to reap a rich reward — as she was sure she must have if thy parents had been found. So she kept thee, though grudgingly, until her scanty stock of patience was exhausted." " And then? " Annetje asked. ** And then, I found thee," the dame replied. " And in truth thou wert In sad case." " Didst thou go to Vrouw Virrhage for me? " the girl questioned impatiently. " Nay, I knew naught of thee, save only the ru- mours which were common gossip," the dame con- tinued; "and to burden myself with a small child was the very least of my expectations on that Satur- day morning when I set off for market. I had a shape in those days, Annetje, and minded not to walk abroad to do my errands. There were some spite- 48 A Maid of Old Manhattan ful ones who called me stout, but 'twas envy that prompted their evil tongues. To be sure I was no skinny jade, but in truth I weighed scarce more than fifteen stone, and to call that fat were gross slander ! Indeed, as I look back upon that time, I see myself a very sylph who might well have graced those scar- let stockings our pedlar showed yesterday even — " She paused for breath and Annetje waited with what patience she could muster, well aware that, given encouragement, here was a topic upon which Vrouw Pelgrom might talk for hours without ex- hausting it; so she was not minded to say aught to further such digression. "Where was I in my tale?'* asked the dame a moment later. " You went to the market on a Saturday morn- ing," Annetje prompted her. " Nay, I had not reached the market when first I saw thee," Vrouw Pelgrom rejoined pettishly, as if she suspected Annetje or hurrying her with her story. *' I remember grumbling at the Governor's new- fangled notion about the market, setting it up as thou knowest it now. Before that the boats came up the Heere Graft on Mondays and we did our chaffering upon its banks. The food was better and cheaper then, nor were we — " " But what happened on this particular Satur- day? " Annetje put in, no longer able to control her impatience. " How can I tell you when I scarce speak five words ere I am interrupted? " said the dame crossly. *' As I was saying, I was on my way to the market when who should come along but Virrhage's wife, dragging thee after her by the hand. I knew thee not, but I saw plain enough thou wert none of her brood, whose tow heads and round, red faces marked From Hand to Hand 49 them for VIrrhage's brats the town over. Thou wert dressed in a dirty, patched frock but thy face was clean and it held my eye." " ' What have you there? ' I asked civilly enough, which I confess was an effort, for there was no love lost between us. " ' Every one brings his wares to market. I have brought mine,' she snapped in answer, and hurried on, leaving me to follow at a more sober pace. *' She was a small, whiffety woman, very quick In her movements, but she accomplished little for all her fuss and feathers. I hold no grudge against her, yet she was one of those who called me stout, and though her husband was a boschloper, with none too good a name in the town, I say he was not to blame if he preferred risking his life among the savages to enduring the everlasting chatter of her venomous tongue." Dame Pelgrom stopped for a moment and glared at Annetje as if challenging her to say aught in favour of Vrouw Virrhage; but Annetje wisely held her peace and presently the good Vrouw resumed her narrative. " The woman's words set me thinking," she went on, " and I soon concluded that the child she dragged along could be none other than the one the wood- runners had found among the Indians. But what she meant by saying she had brought her wares to market I could in no wise imagine; yet was I soon to learn and at the same time to see something of the contrariety of human nature." " I think I can guess what she meant," Annetje murmured in a low tone. " Aye, now perchance, after so much has been said," Vrouw Pelgrom agreed, " but not until I had come to the Market Field had I any inkling of her so A Maid of Old Manhattan purpose. The place was much as it is now and Vrouw Virrhage had sought out a stand close to the centre. Here she had set thee up so all could see, and was calling out like any hawker until a crowd pressed about, bursting with curiosity. " * Friends,' she was shouting as I came by, * my man has left me with more live stock than I can afford to feed. I wish to sell this one. What am Ibid?' " Now, I hold that it is right and proper that parents, having expended great moneys In the rear- ing of their offspring, should have some profit from their labour. So to bind a boy or a girl for a term of years is but just. But here was a child upon whom Virrhage's wife had small claim, seeing that she had no more than filled its little stomach indif- ferent well for a few weeks, and yet she talked as though she had a right to sell it like any black out of Africa. " For a minute or two the crowd was silent, taken aback, as was I, at the woman's audacity, then one man found his voice. " ' The child is too young even to turn the roast before the fire,' he said with a sneer, and swung on his heel. " ' Nay, it is handy and quick to learn,' Vrouw Virrhage called back, * and remember, If 'tis young you will have the more years of service.' " ' How know we that her people will not claim her some day?' demanded old Vrouw Clomp, her wrinkled face peering up as she might have at a fat goose she meant to bargain for. " ' Then will her mistress be doubly lucky, by rea- son of the reward her parents will pay,' cried Vrouw Virrhage, having a ready answer to every objection, which for a time they bandied back and forth. All From Hand to Hand 51 the while the crowd grew thicker and thicker, and I saw that sooner or later the woman would have her way — and it went against me. So I called a boy and showed him a stuyver. '* * This,' I said, * is for the lad who finds the schout or a schepen and tells him what's toward.' " Young Gerrit Van Bommel was that boy, and he was never one who needed to be told twice upon which side his bread was sugared. So it was not long ere he was back, with a schepen in the black robes of his office at his side. '*' What's here? What's toward?' his worship asked, truculently, and you may well believe there were a dozen ready to answer; so I held my peace." "And all this while I stood upon the stand?" asked Annetje. " 'Tis strange I cannot recall it." *' Too frighted wert thou," Vrouw Pelgrom de- clared. '' Of naught so much didst thou remind me as of some wild animal at bay before a pack of hounds. Yet thou faced them dauntlessly, nor ever shed a tear. 'Twas thy courage won my heart, and I vowed to myself that I would see thee fairly treated, come what might. '* At first the schepen did naught but look wise, and there began a mighty chaffering. Had it been any other, I think there would have been few who would have even considered taking so young a child; but thou mightst have been likened to a ticket for a lottery, the holder of which would be entitled to a fine prize if perchance thy parents were great folk. Thus one and another started bidding till there were a score shouting, and Vrouw Virrhage, seeing so many ready to relieve her of her bargain, began to doubt the wisdom of her course. Yet her stand had been so publicly taken that she could scarce retreat with credit, and at the end thou wert about to be 52 A Maid of Old Manhattan bound at thirty florins the year till thou earnest of age, to Joris Arentse's wife, whom I liked not, when I spoke the schepen and brought the stupid man to his senses. " ' In the bargain for this child,' I said to him, ' what bond is given for her education? She is not a black to be let grow up ignorant as the beasts of the field. It would be a shame on the community.' " ' Aye, you're right,' said the schepen with a fine air of condescension. And at that a great murmur of agreement arose from the better people as well as from those who had been outbid. " ' 'Tis an outrage! ' cried one. " ' The child is too young to be bound ! ' exclaimed another. " ' Are we Dutch so mean that we begrudge a babe a spoonful of pap? ' a third shouted. " And suddenly all were calling ' Shame ! Shame ! ' as if they had never had a hand in the business. " In truth, the tide had set the other way, and Vrouw Virrhage finding herself like to be hissed by all for a heartless miser, turned on me, who had pressed forward, and putting one hand on her hip, shook her forefinger at me in a passion. " ' Why do you meddle in my business, you fat woman? ' she shouted, so that all could hear. ' 'Tis plain to all that see you, that you have more to eat than one person should. 'Twould benefit you might- ily to restrain your greedy appetite and lay out some of the money you waste on food in giving the girl the education you prate of. You can pay your two beavers yearly to send her to Van Olfendam's school and still keep yourself well covered with goose grease. Why not take her yourself, if you are so set upon guarding her future? ' *' Now, of course, that shrewish witch had never From Hand to Hand 53 an idea that I would hold her to her word, and but talked to silence me. In truth I had not looked to burden myself with the care of a strange child, but she had called me a fat woman before the town and 'twas as if some clumsy clodhopper had trod upon my tenderest corn. I tell thee I was in a rare rage and turned to the schepen with an answer ready on my tongue. " ' Bear witness,' I said to him, ' that this woman has given me the child. I will take her and bind myself to see that she ne'er becomes a public charge. Moreover I will give her a good schooling. To Van Olfendam's she shall go, and further, if she needs a dower when she marries she shall not lack it, even if in saving it I become as scrawny as Vrouw Virrhage herself ! ' And with that I plucked thee down from the stand and made ready to take thee home." " And so I was not sold after all," Annetje said, with a little sigh of relief. " Nay, thou wert not sold," Vrouw Pelgrom an- swered grimly, " but the end was not yet. Seeing thee slipping from her grasp, Virrhage's wife es- teemed thee mightily of a sudden and lifted her shrill voice in protest." " She would have the coin and the cake too," An- netje remarked. " Aye, that she would," Vrouw Pelgrom agreed. " She wanted not the trouble of thy keep but feared to give thee up. So, when another was minded to take thee off her hands, she raised a great todo. But here the schepen stood my friend and though he had been slow to mix in the controversy, once in, he stood his ground. *'* Silence, woman!' he commanded. * You wished to be rid of the girl else why did you bring 54 A Maid of Old Manhattan her here? She Is no child of yours and I doubt your right to sell her labour. To my thinking you would need to obtain papers of adoption to give you any such authority, and they are not to be had without fat fees to this and that one, and much trouble be- side. I should never have let the matter pass with- out a decision by the council so you may count your- self lucky to be rid of a troublesome guest.' "'Guest!' the Virrhage woman raved, and it so pleased me to see her angered that I laughed in her face. ' Guest ! I am no High Mightiness to afford guests! 'Tis in my mind you know to whom the child belongs and are leagued with this fat Vrouw to rob me of my rightful reward. You are despoilers and bloodsuckers — ' '' ' Silence, thou ! ' the schepen warned her, he too beginning to lose his temper. ' I am an officer of the law, and there Is a fit and proper punishment for slander — of which I lack not witnesses,' he ended, looking around at the crowd. At this dame Virr- hage changed her tune, for she was no simpleton for all her bitter tongue. 'Twas plain she couldn't bully the schepen, so she made a long face and began to whine. *' ' Oh, your honour,' she moaned, trying to squeeze a tear out of her dry eyes. * Indeed I meant naught injurious to your worshipful self, but I am put to It to know how I am to get food for my chil- dren. Last St. Claes' baking I h?d naught better than bear's meat, pompions and maple sugar to make my pies. To that pass am I come with my man out among the wilden and never a stuyver to show for his adventuring. 'Tis the truth that I love the child and would gladly keep her, were I but given a few guilders monthly from the public chest. If I have said aught that I should not, 'twas because I was From Hand to Hand ^^ as one distracted. I beg forgiveness for the sake of my little ones.' " Indeed she made a moving appeal and had worked upon herself till a tear or two actually rolled down her hollow cheeks and she wiped her face most ostentatious, though in her heart I knew she would have given something handsome for one good clout upon the schepen's head. " ' In your foul, villainous, injurious, nay infamous words there was a sting not to be endured,' the man of law told her with pompous severity, ' but as you abjure them now before all this company I will con- sent to forget them.' And he would have turned off and left the matter there; but the woman was de- termined to have back the child and raised another wail. '' ' But what of the girl, your honour? ' she blub- bered. ' Am I neither to hold her for future reward nor be repaid for what I have already ex- pended? ' *' There were many in the throng who had a good stock of sympathy for the shrew by reason of her big family, and there was a murmuring in her favour which might have worked upon the mind of the schepen to her advantage; but at her last complaint young Gerrit Van Bommel, vastly pleased with him- self for the part he had already played, must needs strut up and point a finger at her. " ' Shame on you for a greedy gossip ! ' he called out at the top of his shrill voice. ' Well you know you sold the little wild one's doeskins for a fat purse- ful this very morning.' *' Vrouw Virrhage aimed a blow at the boy's ear that would have made his head ring for an hour if it had found its mark, but Gerrit was a lively lad and skipped out of harm's way. The schepen, how- 56 A Maid of Old Manhattan ever, seeing that there was deception somewhere, bade the boy speak; and all stood quiet while he told his tale. " * Just this it is, your honour,' Gerrit began, keep- ing a wary eye on the VIrrhage woman, ' I was at Canoe Place with the others to see the boschlopers come in, and the little girl had on the finest doeskins ever I laid eyes on. 'Twas remarked by others in the crowd so that I took good note of them. Now but this morning when I was In Cornells Steenwyck's great shop on an errand for my mother, there on the counter was that Indian dress. Steenwyck him- self was showing It to Mynheer Allard Anthony, asking him if he did not want to send it home as a curiosity, and Mynheer Anthony asked where did he get it — and Steenwyck said he had just paid the wife of Jan VIrrhage a round sum for it. I looked, your honour, and they were the very doeskins I had seen upon the girl when she came first to Nieuw Amsterdam.' " He ended with a sly grimace at Vrouw Virrhage, mightily proud of himself to have all this news to give the schepen." " Long have I known Gerrit Van Bommel but never guessed he was so clever," laughed Annetje. *' 1 would I had been there to see Vrouw VIrrhage." *' Thou wert there, though 'tis gone from thy mind," Dame Pelgrom told her with a chuckle. " To be sure," said Annetje. *' And truly I must have been frightened." " Nay, I know not," Vrouw Pelgrom returned. " Thou didst as thou wast bid, nor showed aught of thy feelings. To this day thou hast something of the Indian about thee — but to finish my tale. Vrouw VIrrhage's cheeks were as red as her nose when Gerrit had ended, but there was naught for From Hand to Hand 57 her to do but confess the truth and put as fair a face on the matter as possible. " ' Tis a fact I sold the doeskins,' she acknowl- edged. ' In them was all the profit I had of my man's expedition, and, seeing they were not fit for a white child, I took what I could get for them. Why should I keep them as a harbour for the moth? ' " But this explanation did not satisfy the crowd, who began to draw off from the woman, murmuring that she was a greedy gossip as the boy had pro- claimed, and the schepen, seeing that most of the people were against her, took his tone from them and turned on the beaten dame angrily. " ' You have tried to deceive me,' he told her as one exasperated. ' The matter is beyond my de- cision and I command you to present yourself before the council at the Stadthuys tomorrow morning at ten of the clock. Bring with you the doeskins that the council and the worshipful Governor himself may have the full evidence before them. Fail not or it will be the worse for thee.' " Until then may I keep the little one, your honour?" I asked him, with as much respect as I could show. The schepen hesitated a moment, for I was not known to him. " ' She seems a worthy body,' he said at length, to the crowd at large, and there was no lack of people to tell him that you would come to no hurt while in my care. " ' Bring her to me tomorrow,' he said finally, and stalked off, his head high and his black robes streaming out behind him in the wind. *' As for me, I tarried not to exchange further pleasantries with Vrouw Virrhage but straightway brought thee home. That night, ere I put thee in thy little trundle bed beside my own, I took thee 58 A Maid of Old Manhattan in my arms for comfort's sake. Thou hadst eyed me all the day without a word or sound to tell me what went on behind thy shining eyes, but as I set thee upon my lap and crooned a childish song, thy arms came up about my neck and a sigh of peace escaped thee. At that moment my heart went out to thee, Annetje, and thou hast held it ever since." CHAPTER VII IN THE SEATS OF THE MIGHTY VROUW PELGROM'S kindly voice broke a little as she told of the first night Annetje had spent under her humble roof, and the girl, scarce knowing how It came about, found her- self upon the other side of the table with her arms about the good dame's neck. " I ne'er guessed how much I owed thee," she murmured, burying her face In the ample shoulder. " Nay, nay, child, there can be no talk of debt 'twixt us," Vrouw Pelgrom said earnestly. " Out of pity was I first drawn to thee, but soon I loved thee for thy brave bearing and gentle ways. The sun was warmer and the rainy days less dreary for thy presence. My starved old heart fed on thy affec- tion and thou hast brought more joy into the life of a lonesome woman than she could well repay thee an she lived a hundred years. Nay, if there be debt 'tis I who owe thee, Annetje, for the love thou hast given me." " Nay, I have not loved thee half enough," the girl lamented, her face still hidden. *' I have not thought of thy comfort nor to save thee steps as I should. I have been Inattentive to thine Instruction, and sometimes thought thee cross when indeed thou hadst great cause. I have been neglectful of thee, thinking more of my own affairs than of thine, and my heart will break an thou dost not forgive thy Annetje." 6o A Maid of Old Manhattan " Hush, child," crooned Vrouw Pelgrom sooth- ingly. " Why plague thyself with fancied faults. I could not have done without thee and have blamed myself for living on thy youth, growing fat and helpless in the ease thy nimbleness hath given me. But what matter the little things of life if we surely love each other? " *' Indeed I do love thee," cried Annetje, giving the dame a hearty hug. " Aye, that I know," the goodwife responded with a chuckle. " Naught but true affection could mull such cider as thou wouldst bring me an thou knewst how dry was my throat from so much talking." ''I will fetch it for thee on the instant I" ex- claimed Annetje, and was away on flying feet ere she finished the sentence. Vrouw Pelgrom watched her out of sight, wiping away the tears that had come into her eyes and shaking her head ponderously. Though she might indeed relish the cider when it came, It was to change the current of Annetje's thoughts that she had sug- gested it, knowing well that the child's heart would be eased in the performance of the task. Annetje was back ere long with a brimming mug, and her face was smiling as she anticipated the dame's pleasure. " I mulled it well," she cried, " and put in an extra measure of warming ginger. I hope 'tis to thy liking." A long drawn " Ah! " of satisfaction testified to the tastlness of the first draft, and Vrouw Pelgrom set down the mug with a wide smile of contentment. " Never hast thou spiced It better, Annetje," she declared heartily. " I vow Peter Stuyvesant him- self would envy me an he knew the richness of its flavour. And that reminds me. Thou hast not In the Seats of the Mighty 6 1 heard the end of my tale. In truth to my thinking the best of it is yet to be told." " To be sure ! " exclaimed the girl. '' Thou wast to take me to the Stadthuys on the morrow. What happened there before the great council? " " 'Tis curious thou dost keep naught of it in thy memory," the dame began. " 'Tis to me as if it were but yesterday, for that happened which has made a mark upon my recollection that it will hold unto my dying day. Yet in truth it was no great matter, and for those who see naught of significance in chance occurrences there was little to mark the meeting out of the ordinary. But take thy work and listen while I recount it for thee from the beginning. " As I need not tell thee, for there was greater lack of curiosity among the townfolk then than there is now, the Stadthuys was filled to overflowing. The account of thy fortunes had been noised through- out the length and breadth of the town, so that all who could crowd into the hall were there, gaping at one another and keen upon the scent of gossip. I had gone early guessing that there would be a throng and had taken a place well in front. I kept thee by my side and looked about me with no little interest, for indeed it was a fine sight; and being as I might say in all modesty, somewhat the centre of these happenings, it was but proper that I should hold up my head and face my neighbours boldly as an honest woman should. Then, too, I had on my holiday petticoats, and being vainer of my person in those days, I did not scorn the glances of admira- tion thrown in my direction." The good Vrouw paused a moment, chuckling to herself over these reminiscences, and Annetje, glancing sidewise, saw her prim her mouth as she might have in the days of her comeliness. 62 A Maid of Old Manhattan *' Hast thou never a remembrance of the great hall?" she asked, taking up the story again. " It had such grand windows with the arms of the city graven on them. Then the justice^s bench had the orange, blue and white of Holland and the Company above it, as well as the painted coat of arms sent to us by the Directors of the fatherland. It was magnificent to behold. A little child out of the forest, who scarce had grown accustomed to a roof over her head, might well have been daunted by It." " Wait ! " cried Annetje, of a sudden, " were there not seats set high above the floor with thick cushions upon them? " ** Aye, the cushions of state upon the raised plat- form whereon the council sat," explained the dame. *' Dost thou see It dimly? " " I cannot tell," Annetje replied, " but It seems as If I marvelled that no one sat upon those seats which alone were empty, and then — and then — " She stopped; her brow wrinkled as she puzzled to bring back the scene. *' Think hard," Vrouw Pelgrom murmured, lean- ing forward across the table. *' Was there perchance a little child who slipped up and took the biggest seat? " asked the girl. " Aye, thou dost remember," cried the older woman, clapping her hands. " To be sure 'twas as thou sayest. I missed thee at the Instant when his High Mightiness entered, too late to bring thee back, and for the moment longed to drop through the floor, thinking the great Stuyvesant would be In a rage. But therein I was mistaken. He stood In front of thee, gazing down with a kindly smile upon his face. * Whom have we here?' he asked, and a schepen answered, that thou wert the very heart and cause of all the pother. I looked to have In the Seats of the Mighty 63 the Governor roar right roundly, for he was ever one to have a care for his dignity; but just at that moment, didst thou turn thy face to him and smile. Next, as if in invitation, thou didst move over in the chair so that there might be room for one to sit beside thee, and he too smiled. * Dost think there is room for two, little one? ' he said, and, as if thou hadst understood, thy little head nodded and the great Peter Stuyvesant seated himself beside thee and put an arm about thy waist. So didst thou stay throughout all the proceedings, and I cannot think there was one In that throng who esteemed the Gov- ernor less of a great man because of his action." " 'TIs passing strange that I can remember naught more of it," said Annetje, after a pause. ** What happened after? " " Oh, there was much legal talk that would tax thy comprehension, and there was a great pretence of deferring to the council, but in truth his High Mightiness the Governor took the matter into his own hands and settled it to his satisfaction." " And did Vrouw Virrhage give me up without a struggle, after all? " Annetje questioned. "Nay, that she did noti " was the positive an- swer. '' A night of contemplation had convinced her that she had made a mistake to think of parting with thee, and she was more than ever determined to have thee back. And In truth she was so clever that for a time I feared she would have her will, and that went sore against me, for by then I wanted thee for thyself alone. She came with all her brood of children, new washed and combed, to gain the sympathy of her judges, and in a measure she suc- ceeded, though she deserved it not. In the begin- ning the council talked first on this side and then on that, with many high sounding words, very learned 64 A Maid of Old Manhattan and wise looking, but coming to no conclusion, and all the while the great Stuyvesant said naught, but petted thee and gained thy confidence, listening to the debate until his mind was satisfied. Then, with scant consideration for schout, schepens, or burgher- meesters, he decreed that I should keep thee, and that, for the sake of her hungry family, Vrouw Virr- hage was remitted the punishment for her treatment of an officer of the law. At this the crusty dame began to murmur, hinting that she would send a complaint to the Company's officers In Holland, at which Stuyvesant's wrath was like to scorch her. He told her roundly, in a voice that filled the hall with the roar of It, that he would have her hanged to the highest tree in the Nieuw Nederlandt if she said aught further on that subject, which put a great fear Into her and calmed her temper, I can tell you, for Peter Stuyvesant was not one to threaten In vain and was like to act first and talk of the law of the matter afterwards. Then he dismissed the company and presently he rose from his chair and, taking thee by the hand, led thee down to where I was sitting. In truth he seemed reluctant to let thee go and said as much when he gave thee up to me. " ' Were I to consult my own wishes,' he told me, * I would keep her myself, goodwife. I have al- ways longed to have a little daughter — but there are others to be thought of. See to it that you fulfil your promise to educate her, and if at any time you need help, remember that the child has sat upon the high seat with Peter Stuyvesant and he stands her friend.' '* With that he kissed thee upon thy forehead and dismissed us, handing over to my keeping all thy small belongings. That Is the story, save that I have done for thee what seemed right and proper. In the Seats of the Mighty 65 and I may tell thee further, if indeed thy heart does not make it plain, that a reward for thy finding was never in my thoughts — " " Aye, that I know," Annetje broke in. " There is no need to tell me." " Yet were there some, prompted by the Virrhage shrew no doubt, who said I was a clever woman, like to make a small fortune out of thee," Vrouw Pelgrom complained. " But in truth had thy par- ents discovered themselves, all the gold in the land would not have comforted me for thy loss." " Nor could they have been to me more than thou hast," said Annetje earnestly. " Yet have I a long- ing to know who was my real mother and from whence I came." " To be sure thou hast," the dame answered heartily. " 'Tis but natural, and thinking that a day would come when such questions would crowd upon thy thoughts, I made what inquiries I could to find an answer." "And what didst thou learn?" asked Annetje eagerly. " Naught, child," Vrouw Pelgrom replied. " Virrhage came upon thee among the Indians, but in what manner they had gained possession of thee he never knew. There was always some mystery. When thou wert little, the red men seemed to guard thee, though for my life I could not point to how it was done. Only, when least it was expected, a tall savage would suddenly appear and with a quick, keen glance at thee, stride on without a word. Once, when thou hadst fallen into the brook at the Maagde Paetje, a painted brave came forth from the bushes and whipped thee out of the stream ere the rest of us realized that thou hadst tumbled in. I ran to thee and would have thanked the Indian, (i() A Maid of Old Manhattan but he gave me so menacing a glance that I lost my speech for a moment; and when I had regained it he had disappeared. So it has seemed to go throughout thy life, but what the meaning of it is I know not." *' Nay, nor do I," Annetje replied. " To this day they have me In their keeping, yet those who are set upon the watch themselves know not the reason." *' Hast thou asked, then? " Vrouw Pelgrom ques- tioned. " Aye, no later than yesterday," Annetje replied. *' But the answer is hid. I wonder shall I ever find it." *' Who can tell," returned the dame, and then in a jolly voice, " but meanwhile have I not earned a good dinner? For in truth I am as empty as a drum." CHAPTER VIII A STRANGE DEVICE j4 NNETJE speedily set to work to prepare the i\ food Vrouw Pelgrom professed to stand so -i. JL greatly in need of. The usual hour for dining was eleven o'clock, and as the dame was not one to stint herself, the meal was always hearty. A pottage of brown or green peas mashed with ginger, or a soup of white beans mixed with prunes and syrup, formed the first course, after which would come a hutsepot of chopped meat and vegetables. On this day Annetje prepared cabbage, which was counted a luxury, and stewed it with fat pork fla- voured with nutmeg. The good dame smacked her lips over it, and her trencher was refilled more than once from the great bowl in the centre of the table. To be sure she looked forward to a " piece " in the afternoon at three and before she retired for the night she would eat a supper of eggs, white bread sop, cheese and cold meat with apple sauce or any such confection Annetje had on hand; but dinner was the serious undertaking of the day and her spoon never rested till her appetite was satisfied. When that was accomplished she laid it down with a huge sigh of contentment and polished her trencher with a bit of bread. " There is a new drink come to the colony, An- netje," she remarked. " Vrouw Theunis was tell- ing me of it the other day. She said it is strangely comforting and is the drawn tincture of a dried berry 67 68 A Maid of Old Manhattan mixed with milk, cloves, cinnamon, sugar and grisam- ber. 'Tis called ' caffe ' but I know not where they find the plant." *' I doubt it is as tasty as jocolato," Annetje an- swered. *' Were I rich, a think I should have it at every meal with izer cookies or oblies." " Aye, and grow as fat as am I," Vrouw Pelgrom declared. *' 'Tis said this caffe is different, con- taining most valuable medical properties. I think we must try it." The good soul talked on about this or that kind of food or drink, and Annetje, busy with the clearing of the table, needed not to keep her mind upon the matter, knowing that here was a subject upon which the dame required no prompting. Her own thoughts were concerned with the tale she had just heard, but though she had been much in- terested the ending had left a sharp sting of disap- pointment. It was exciting, even after all the years that had passed, to think that she had actually sat upon the same chair with his High Mightiness Gov- ernor Stuyvesant before all the people in the Stadt- huys, but that gave her no clue to whom her parents were or whether she was really Dutch or no. In truth she was no nearer the facts which she wished most to know, than she had been before. A little later, when they were hard at work once more upon the compounding of their essences, An- netje referred again to her past. *' What became of the doeskin suit, Vrouw Pel- grom? " she asked. *' I have it for thee," the dame answered. '* Thou shalt see it tonight after supper. I began to wonder if thou hadst no curiosity." *' 'Tis not only that," Annetje replied thought- fully, " but 'tis all I have of value in the world, and A Strange Device 69 I wish not to be beholden to a woman who planned to sell me as so much live stock." Dame Pelgrom chuckled and glanced approvingly at the firm-lipped girl. " Nay, thou art not beholden to Vrouw Virrhage, my dear," she answered. *' That debt was dis- charged long years ago and with thine own money, too. There were indeed three sets of thy Indian clothes. Upon consideration I argued to myself that when thou wert a woman grown thou wouldst not like it if even for a short time thou wert nour- ished by an ungracious charity. So thinking, I went before the burghermeesters and craved permission to sell one of thy simpler suits and to give to Vrouw Virrhage all she could justly claim for thy board and lodging. This was done, and I have still a few florins left for thee tied up In one of thy tiny moc- casins. Thou shalt have all thy Httle treasures after supper." " I am most anxious to see them," Annetje replied, " and I thank thee heartily for discharging my debt to Vrouw Virrhage." " Aye, even as a child, ere thou couldst speak a word of Dutch, thou hadst a proper spirit," the dame murmured half to herself. The sun had set when Vrouw Pelgrom came waddling back from her sleeping-chamber bearing a small waxed trunk. " We must have more light, Annetje," she an- nounced Importantly. " Set a spark to the betty- lamp." " Nay the lamp makes such a vile, oily smoke," Annetje answered. " Would it not do if I lighted some candle wood? There's plenty prepared and 'twill serve two purposes, for we have need of the pitch that will ooze from it for cough syrup." 70 A Maid of Old Manhattan *' Have your own way," the dame grumbled. " To my thinking you favour pine torches because they savour of the Indians. I sometimes wonder why it is thou hast not run off into the woods ere this and left me in my old age." " It would not be so easy to get rid of me," An- netje laughed easily. " Who would do the cake pasting against St. Nicholas Eve an I joined the wllden? " ^' 'Tis not cake pasting I have in mind," the dame answered testily, as she sat down before the fire with the box upon her lap. " Thou hast a way of speak- ing as if I cared for naught but things to eat. That thou hast a longing for the woods I know only too well, and I tell thee plain I should not be surprised If thou went back to the Indians in spite of thy Dutch blood." Annetje sobered on the Instance and glanced up from the hearth where she was kindling a light upon the candle-stone. " Art sure my blood Is Dutch? " she asked. The dame looked at her a moment critically, then shook her head up and down with great positlveness. "Of course thou art Dutch! " she snapped, and Annetje knew that here was no time to go further into that subject. Nor was she herself ready to discuss all that was in her mind In regard to the matter. She was hoping that the sight of her little Indian dresses would stir memories that would give her the clue she sought. Then there was the pos- sibility of finding among the relics of her babyhood some trace overlooked by others who had less con- cern for the details of her birth. She could hardly wait until the box was open, and drew up a small table before the dame's chair seating herself on a stool close by. A Strange Device 71 But Vrouw Pelgrom was in no mood to be hur- ried. The little lacquered coffer before her awak- ened many memories and leaning forward, with her hands folded complacently, she let her mind wander over bygone scenes. " When I come to realize how little I can recall of the years I have spent here," she began, " I am less filled with surprise at thy forgetfulness. Only a few of the more important things can I remember. Wouter Van Twiller was Governor when first I landed. He was own nephew to Killlaen Van Rens- selaer, the great patroon of Rensselaerswyck, up the North River. Van Twiller followed Peter Minuit and was a robber, no less. After him came Kieft, who was worse still, and to my thinking his actions had somewhat to do with thy history." " How could that be? " demanded Annetje. *' 'Twas Kieft's talk of gold took Virrhage to the north," Vrouw Pelgrom answered, " but that was but the end of the business so far as thou wert concerned. 'Twas Kieft first brought us into seri- ous trouble with the Indians. He winked at the Illicit trade In guns and rum, making, I doubt not, a pretty penny out of It. But that was not the worst. 'Twas by his connivance that a whole tribe that trusted him was massacred In spite of all de Vrles could do. None can blame the wllden If they can- not forgive that act; so it has come about that In spite of Peter Stuyvesant's good will and friendship toward the savages, they cannot forget what Kieft did and take their revenge when and where chance serves. They steal upon the lonely farmer, or go in bands to small villages to kill and rob. 'Tis their custom to carry off children who take their fancy and adopt them Into their tribe, and In some such way thou, doubtless, wert made captive, as was Ann 72 A Mild of Old Manhattin Illfhim oe's granddaughter from Annie's Hoeck. Why, ka^ing spared tiiy life, they treated thee also with so mBdi considcratioii, I know not. but I feel svre that had it not been for that villain Kieft thou wouldst not be here For thy sake I could forgive that <^ rascal, and I bat tell thee these things as they cone into mj mind as I hark back into the past.'' This tale of Vrouw Pelgrom's had set Annetje upon another train of rfaoqghr. The treachery of Bcft lad altered the Indians, not alone against Km bat ag^unst all the Dutch. This being the case, woidd the red men, knowing that she was one of bated mfmifs, baTe given her the tender care bad r ece iv ed at tbeir kands? Woold it not be reasonable to s<]|>pose that they knew she was Ditfch? Herein, indeed, might lie the eiiplana- tion for tbeir kindnrtt, though in truth it would not accnont for the Tigilanrr with which they had 0Barded her daring aH the years since. Neverthe- less here was anodier straw pointing to the belief that she was not Dutch as all had sopposed. which was fast bemming a conviction in the girl's mind and turning her thoughts in the direaion hinted at by the pedlar. She might be English after alL Bat now was no time to talk to Vrouw Pelgrom on that subject, and moreover Annetje was imp 2 dent to see the contents of the waxed cotter. '• Shan't we open the box? '' she asked coaxingly. '' I am most anxioos to see what lies therein.'' "Aye, let ns unlock it,'' answered the dame, smoothing oat her apron with her fat hands as if in preparation for a great event. " L too. am anxious to see the little garments once again. I have often looked forward to this day through thy childhood, when thou wert of an age to appreciate A Strange Device 73 their worth we two would have grown dose to each other in affection." With deft fingers she opened the small coffer and removed the wrapping from around the tiny gar- ments. Annette leaned forward in tense eagerness, wondering if the sight of them would aid her mem- ory^; but when at length they were spread upon the table no amount of efiort upon her part could sum- mon aught but recollections of the Indian camp. The clothes she did recall vaguely, and their rare quality brought her remembrances of the gentle Indian woman who had taken the place of mother to her, so that her eyes filled with tears. She needed no reminder of the fond care the Sachem's squaw had bestowed, for that was ever alive in her heart, but here was the evidence of the tender afiection she had heretofore taken for granted. *' 'Twas a skilled hand and a lo\"ing heart fashioned those. Annetje," Vrouw Pelgrora said earnestly, as she handled the soft doeskin. '' Saw you ever such fine stitches? " Annetje took the little garments up, calling them by their Indian names, too filled with the life that was past to say aught more, and the old dame, un- derstanding, pressed not for an answer but chattered on. ** 'Tis wonderful," she murmured, picking up a jacket of the finest otter. '* I ne'er saw such bead- ing before or since. 'Tis worth a small fortune/' ** Love went into every stitch," Annetje answered softly. '* My mother worked it. My Indian mother, I mean." '* Aye, and 'twas thy Dutch moeder kept it safe for thee,'' Vrouw Pelgrom reminded her. ^' No moth has sharpened tooth on it in all this time. I owed that to thee and to the woman who made it. 74 A Maid of Old Manhattan I have no great affection for the savages, as thou knowest, but I should think the less of thee, An- netje, if thou didst not hold a warm place in thy heart for the one whose loving hands wrought this work. Thy tears bring no envy to thy Dutch moeder, my dear." "I am a lucky girl to have found two such mothers," Annetje said with a brave little smile. *' I cannot think I deserve such good fortune." *' That is a matter thou canst in safety leave others to decide," returned the dame, getting pon- derously to her feet. '* Kiss me good-night. I am off to bed and will leave thee with thy memories." When she had gone Annetje took up her treasures one after another, seeking some clue to her forgotten past. Beside the clothing there were several neck- laces of coloured stones, shells, beads, dried berries and pieces of metal. Two pairs of tiny moccasins there were, heavily beaded, in one of which were the florins Vrouw Pelgrom had saved for her from the sale of the third suit. But everything else was of Indian manufacture and brought no answer to the question of her existence ere she had been found in the forest. For the third time she was examining a short jerkin or coat, she knew not what to call it in Dutch, which was so stiff with beads that it nigh stood alone, soft leather though It was. The designs of the beading, as In all the other pieces, were Indian and held to simple patterns, yet were varied In each of the little garments. But as Annetje handled It, with her thoughts far away in the wild woods of the north, a lozenge shaped bit of the embroidery caught her eye. It was sewn upon the jacket near the neck and was unlike the rest of the nearly solid beadwork, yet held no conspicuous place in the design. Annetje A Strange Device 75 scrutinized it searchlngly for a moment, then taking up the other jacket found thereon a similar device. It was upon the moccasins and other garments as well, as if indeed it was a special mark which was used for her alone. " 'Tis a curious pattern,^' Annetje said to herself. " I'm sure it is not Indian, and yet — what else could it be." CHAPTER IX fire! fire! A NNETJE had slept scarce an hour when she /^L found herself broad awake sitting up in her ^ -^ shelf-like bed and hstening intently. Near the hearth, where the glowing coals still gave a ruddy light she saw Nickje, his sharp nose pointed toward her, and his twinkling eyes fixed upon her inquiringly. Suddenly, from some distance away, the long drawn cry of "Brant! Brant!" reached her ears and she leaped up and began dressing hurriedly. It was the Ratel Wacht of Nieuw Amsterdam warn- ing the town of fire, and as the houses were mostly of wood the alarm always brought the able bodied citizens to the scene, many carrying their own leath- ern fire-buckets to aid in fighting the flames lest a conflagration overwhelm the entire city. " Oh, Annetje, are we in danger? " called Vrouw Pelgrom from the adjoining room. " Run, child, and see where it is.'* " In a moment," Annetje answered. " I'm nigh dressed. From the sound I think the fire is in our quarter but not very near." She was soon ready and taking down her hooded cloak from its hook she threw it about her and went forth into the moonlit night, the racoon perched upon her shoulder. Almost as if she had given the signal the doors of other houses along the Marckveldt Steegie opened and dark forms rushed into the lane, heading toward 76 Fire! Fire! 77 the Breede Weg. A bright red glow in the sky marked the location of the blaze. "Know you where the fire is?" Annetje called to a man, flying past the Httle gate. *' Aye," he shouted back. " 'Tis in the thatched roof of Mynheer Varleth's house." Annetje ran back to Vrouw Pelgrom with her news, not unmindful of the important fact that Mev- rouw Varleth was the sister of the great Stuyvesant, and the dwelling one of the best in the town. " Now for once the poor are spared! " cried the dame, when Annetje had told her. " I said to my- self that it would be some one who could ill-afford to pay a fine of three guilders because Gridtje, the chimney sweep, had scamped his work." " 'Tis more than a dirty chimney from the look in the sky," answered Annetje. " Fll run on and come back to thee with an account of what's toward." " Alack that I cannot go with thee," sighed Vrouw Pelgrom. " There are times when It is ill-luck to be so fat. Nor do I like thy being abroad alone at this hour." " Nay, fear not that I shall be alone," cried An- netje, as she hurried off. " All the town wnll be there, and for extra precaution I shall take Nickje with me." She heard Vrouw Pelgrom grumbling as she ran off, but knowing the cause of it to be the good dame's disappointment that she might not share in the ex- citement, she went her way unheeding. Once out of doors, the racoon dropped to the ground, and the two hurried on, rather enjoying the novelty of a scamper at night. Nickje chose his own route, keeping to the shadows, and the girl, sure that he was able to take care of himself, had no anxiety on his account. 78 A Maid of Old Manhattan As Annetje had told Vrouw Pelgrom, nigh all the town was out, and she soon came up with a little knot of her neighbours, all hastening in the same direction. There was much loud talk, bandied back and forth as they hurried forward. Most of the girls being young were more impressed by the nov- elty of the occasion than by its possible seriousness. However, when at length they arrived upon the scene, the flames were already dwindling and 'twas plain that the fire was a small one and that no great damage had resulted. *' The new town fire-buckets must have done good work," some one said in disappointed tones. *' I heard they cost all of six guilders each," came a complaining voice. " The Governor will count them cheap an they saved his sister's house," a third commented. " Aye, that he will," grumbled another, " for the taxes that paid for them came not out of his money- bags." " Nay, now," Annetje put in, " the Governor pays a guilder for each of his chimneys, like the least of us." Grietje Olpherts, standing near, tossed her head scornfully. " I'd know who said that on the darkest night,'* she sneered for all to hear. " Aye," laughed Madaleen Wittsen, '' Annetje Pelgrom always has a good word to defend the High and Mighty ones." *' As I told her but the other day, she Is too arlsto- cratical for us humble folk," Grietje remarked dis- agreeably, and there was a titter among the girls nearby. But Madaleen had a real liking for Annetje and some realization of her sensitiveness, and though her Fire ! Fire ! 79 words had been spoken in the best of humours she was sorry now that she had said them. *' 'Tis a foolish girl who stays to listen to flat- tery! " she exclaimed, and putting her arm through Annetje's she drew her away from the others. '' Come, let us go nearer the house," she whispered, as they moved off. " In sooth I meant not to flatter," they heard Grietje call after them, and laughed gaily in re- sponse. " In sooth she means not to leave me in any doubt," Annetje chuckled, in no wise put out by Grietje's ungracious speech. " She's an envious minx," Madaleen protested. " Nay," said Annetje merrily, " she cannot for- give me that she let the grey goose and her family run belter skelter through my wash. Little harm was done, but Grietje seemed to take it ill that 1 shed no tears over the mishap." '' 'Tis hard to forgive others for our own faults," Madaleen replied. " I'll wager Grietje was admir- ing herself in the stream instead of minding her work." Annetje smiled to herself, to think how near Madaleen had come to hitting upon the truth of the matter, but held her tongue, not minded to tell tales, and changed the subject to the scene before them. They had pushed forward until now they were not far from the door of Mevrouw Varleth's house in the lower floors of which the candles burned cheerily, as if naught were amiss. The fire was extinguished, although men still passed bucket after bucket of water to those on the roof, who continued to soak the thatch for fear of lurking sparks. After all, little damage had been done. The new town buckets had indeed fulfilled their mission admirably, 8o A Maid of Old Manhattan and the people might have gone back to their homes satisfied that no further danger was to be appre- hended that night, but they stayed on knowing that the end was not yet. And presently what they were expecting came to pass. Mevrouw Varleth, opening wide the front door, stepped out upon the stoep and looked about her. In an instant there was a hush among the waiting crowd and a craning forward by those at the back as if they feared to miss something. " I thank you, my neighbours, in my husband's name as well as in my own," Mevrouw Varleth be- gan in a gracious voice. " By your good will the peril to our home is mercifully averted. I beg that you will step within for a glass of something warm to protect you against the chill of the night." A cheer of acceptance greeted her invitation, and a general movement toward the entrance of the house pushed Annetje and Madaleen still closer. Neither of the girls had any intention of joining those who were so ready to accept Mevrouw Var- leth's hospitality, but Annetje stood for a moment watching a scene upon the stoep. As Mevrouw Varleth had ended her little speech young Balthazar Stuyvesant ran up to her. He was without his coat and his fine laced shirt was much begrimed by smoke and water. *' Can I do aught for thee, Aunt Anna?" he cried, as he reached her side, and stooped to kiss her hand ceremoniously. *' Aye, indeed thou canst," she replied readily. " Most of the family are in Hooboocken so that I am short handed in the house. Send me two maidens to help serve the spiced wine to the men. And for goodness' sake, Balthazar," she went on with a laugh, '* see to it that I am not killed by kind- Fire ! Fire ! 8 1 ness. The fire Is all out but they cease not to spill water. And it is soaking everything upon the top floors." " I'll stop them at once," Balthazar promised, and turned to do her bidding. As he did so his eye lit upon Annetje and he paused for a moment looking down upon her. Then he went straight to her. " Your pardon," he began, with a polite little bow, which included both girls, " but my aunt needs help indoors. If it is not too much to ask will you not go to her assistance? " Now in truth there were people of all degrees in that assemblage, great folk as well as plain and it would have been more usual had Balthazar ap- pealed to those of his own station. There were none in the town who would not have thought it an honour to lend a helping hand to the sister of their Governor in such an emergency; so the young man's request came as a great surprise to the two maids. " We will go gladly," Annetje answered, being the first to recover her composure. '' Come, Mada- leen," she went on, " Mevrouw Varleth must not be kept waiting." And with a steady countenance she took her companion's arm and they moved to- gether into the house. Balthazar cast a look after them and then went swiftly to discharge his other errand. " 'TIs indeed a high honour!" Madaleen whis- pered in Annetje's ear. '' What will my moeder say? And she at home with the baby's tooth. 'Twill be grand news." Annetje said nothing, but her mind was busy and she wondered If perhaps the young Heer Stuyvesant had made a mistake In the half light of the moon and confused them with maids of his acquaintance. 82 A Maid of Old Manhattan On the other hand he had seemed quite deliberate in seeking them and, whatever the explanation, they could not, In all courtesy, refuse to do what he had asked. Thinking which she mounted the stoep with- out embarrassment. Inside the house all was so calm and ordered that it seemed Impossible such confusion could exist out- side. The narrow hall was illuminated by many candles, a fire burned on the hearth of the voorhuys through the doorway of which they saw that already a great table had been laid, with many mugs set round a huge punch bowl in the centre. If Mevrouw Varleth was surprised at her nephew's choice of maids to aid her she did not betray it, greeting Annetje and Madaleen pleas- antly. " The young Heer Stuyvesant said you would like us to help you," Annetje explained. '* Aye, and thank you for coming," Mevrouw Varletn replied with a smile. She was quick to note the fact that Madaleen was no different from others of her class in town and grew rosy while she dropped curtsey after curtsey to the great lady, whereas An- netje gave no sign of confusion and waited quietly for her instructions. " My fear is that with so many thirsty ones we shall not have mugs enough for the spiced wine I wish to offer them," Mevrouw Varleth explained. ** Most of my servants are above, mopping up the water coming through the roof, but there are still two blacks In the kitchen to wash and dry, so if you girls will take out the empty mugs and bring back clean ones I shall be much beholden to you." Madaleen was still a little overcome by the honour thrust upon her, but Annetje took her tone from Mevrouw Varleth to perfection. Fire I Fire I 83 '* ' Turn about is fair play,' " she quoted. " They had a bucket brigade for you outside, 'tis but right that we should have one for them here." And Mevrouw Varleth laughed, the while she shot an appraising glance at Annetje and said to herself, *' I'll wager this is the one Balthazar ad- mires." " How canst thou be so calm with Mevrouw Var- leth, as if she were my moeder or Vrouw Pelgrom? '* Madaleen whispered, as they hurried toward the kitchen. " Why, I like her," Annetje replied, her eyes wide with surprise. *' But even with us girls thou art silent, and I've always thought thee shy," Madaleen explained. " Yet with these great ones thou hast never a blush and art as easy in thy ways as if thou wert a lady of quality." *' Nay, that is silly talk," retorted Annetje with a little laugh. " 'Tis when I do not like people that my tongue is tied. None could help admiring Mevrouw Varleth. She is so tall and dignified with- out being always concerned for her own greatness. Yes, I do like her," she added half to herself. " I do not understand," Madaleen insisted. *' At least I've never been silent with thee," An- netje answered, giving her companion's arm a squeeze, for in truth she had an affection for Mada- leen. " Aye, thou hast ever had a word for my faults," the other responded with a smile, and with that the two busied themselves at their tasks, finding no fur- ther time to talk till all was done. CHAPTER X THE GREAT DIRECTOR GENERAL IT was not only Mevrouw Varleth's spiced wine that brought the people crowding mto her house. There were many who had never seen the interior of so rich an establishment, and there was a natural curiosity to view the furnishings. Moreover Mevrouw Varleth held a wide reputa- tion as a notable housewife and the good Vrouwen of NIeuw Amsterdam wished to see for themselves if this reputation was deserved. They were all fine judges in such matters, taking a huge pride in the cleanliness of their own dwellings, a virtue which they claimed was peculiar to the Dutch. But if they hoped to pick flaws in the order and neatness of Mevrouw Varleth's arrangements, they were doomed to disappointment. In spite of the fire and smoke, the brasses shone like gold, the pewter like silver and the fine china ware, carefully displayed in glass-fronted cupboards brought from Holland, was so specklessly polished that even the most critical could not withhold their admiration. " Doest think they ever use them?" asked one, of a neighbour, pointing to a row of porringers upon a shelf. " I doubt not they do," came the answer, " but to my thinking 'tis a foolishness to have a dish for each bit of food one eats at table. A good trencher serves for all and needs no polishing, say I." 84 The Great Director General S^ " And look you at the three pronged forks," ex- claimed another. '' 'Tis but pride to take so dan- gerous an instrument to carry victuals to one's mouth. A spoon for sop and such like I hold with, but for solid stutt my ten fingers will serve me till my death, and show no wear and tear." So they gossiped of this and that in little groups, while they supped their wine and nibbled at the izer cookies Annetje and Madaleen handed about, mak- ing no effort to hide their curiosity and seemingly caring little if their lady hostess heard their com- ments upon her housewifely arts. Annetje, busy with her tasks and intent upon doing them as well as she was able, paid scant attention to what went on about her. Her duties kept her running between the kitchen and the living-room to replenish the supply of clean mugs and to help Mev- rouw Varleth in other ways, but she shortly became aware that among the men who crowded about the large table, was the young pedlar. Now and then she would look up, always to catch his eye fixed upon her, but she scarce gave him a thought. She was surprised therefore, when he stepped boldly up and asked if he could not help her in her work. " Xay," answered Annetje, indifterently, '' there's naught you can do." " I can at least carry a tray full of empty mugs," he replied with a smile. He seemed quite sincere in his offer, and Annetje could not do less than acknowledge it. " I thank you," she said, picking up the tray, *' but I need no help." And she started oil. Annetje did not realize that the man had followed her until she had reached the kitchen and there found him at her side. 86 A Maid of Old Manhattan ** I wanted to have a little talk with you before I went away," he whispered in her ear. "Are you going so soon?" she asked, thinking of the many articles Vrouw Pelgrom was preparing. " Aye, on the morrow," he replied. *' I was looking for you today — " " But we have scarce started on your compounds," she interrupted. " There's much to be done yet, and Vrouw Pelgrom — " " They can wait. I go upon another errand," he interrupted in his turn. " This matter has naught to do with perfumes and such. I look to you to aid me, and would have speech with you in private." *' Where are you going?" asked Annetje, scarce conscious of what the request implied. The young man looked at her a moment quiz- zically. ** 'Tis not a subject I should care to discuss with everybody in Nieuw Amsterdam," he answered with a low laugh, " but you are different. I don't mind telling you that I'm going north." He said this in an undertone, leaning toward her so that his words could not be heard by others in the room, and in the manner of his speaking there was the implication of a secret understanding between them. On the instant Annetje stiffened and her lips closed tightly over her set teeth. " Nay, my journey is somewhat in thy Interest, too," he murmured, noting her look. ** It can have naught to do with me," Annetje returned positively. The man's use of the pronoun " thy," which by right he should have employed only with intimates, annoyed her. " That I can easily explain to you if you but give me the chance," he insisted, reverting to the more The Great Director General 87 formal *' you," as if to attribute her resentment wholly to his familiar use of the pronoun. " I can- not tell you in this house what is toward. Have you not served enough of these fat and stupid Dutch- men? Come, let us get away from here; for it is important — " " Nay, I cannot go yet," Annetje cut in, *' nor do I wish to talk to you tonight. There can be naught of a private nature between us. If you have aught to say you will find me with Vrouw Pelgrom in the morning." As she ended, Annetje started away from the man half angrily, but he persisted, keeping at her side. " I beg of you to let me see you alone," he urged. " What I have to say is not for the ears of Vrouw Pelgrom." " I beg you to go away," Annetje retorted, and turned her back to him, busying herself at the table. " Nay, I wish — " the pedlar began insistently, but a voice interrupted him in a tone that admitted of no argument. " My aunt would not care to entertain her guests in the kitchen," said Balthazar Stuyvesant, who a moment before had entered by a side door. He had been quick to note Annetje's manner toward the man and guessed rightly that she wished to be rid of him. There was a momentary pause, during which the two faced each other and in their exchange of glances a challenge seemed to pass; then with a slight bow, the pedlar turned on his heel and quitted the room without a word. Annetje was surprised by young Stuyvesant's in- tervention, but at sight of the state he was in she forgot everything else in her concern for his con- dition. *' May I beg for a drop of wine to warm me? " 88 A Maid of Old Manhattan he asked, smIHng at Annetje, though Indeed his teeth were chattering. " I am in such a state that I cannot well go into my aunt's voorhuys for it." Instantly Annetje gave him a mug of hot wine and watched him gravely while he drank it. He was soaked to the skin and his blue lips were evidence In plenty that he was chilled to the bone as well. His fine white shirt was grimy with soot and his face was little better. Indeed he presented an appear- ance so foreign to his great station as son oif the Governor as under other circumstances might have seemed funny. However, to Annetje, his was a case demanding immediate attention. " Ah," said Balthazar as he drained the mug, " that makes me feel more like myself." *' Go you and sit by the fire," Annetje ordered, in a tone that brooked no gainsaying. " To my think- ing a sup of wine Is not enough if you are to escape your death of cold. I must speak to your aunt of the matter." "Nay — ," Balthazar began, but Annetje went upon her way unheeding and the young man sat himself down, as he had been bid, with a light laugh. Mevrouw Varleth met the girl with a welcoming smile. She had observed her throughout the eve- ning and what she saw had pleased her, though In the back of her mind she still wondered a little at her being there. " The young Heer Stuyvesant has come In," An- netje announced, going straight to the point of her errand. " He Is both wet and dirty and needs atten- tion, else will he have a chill. I can prepare a draft with bark, of the kind Vrouw Pelgrom gives In such cases. If you will tell me where I may find the needed drugs." '* Good lack I" exclaimed Mevrouw Varleth, The Great Director General 89 " the boy is indeed like to be 111. He should have some dry clothes and a posset. His cousin's suits will serve well enough — but the physic ! — I can- not leave here now. — Art sure thou canst see to it, child?" Whether unconsciously or no, Mevrouw Varleth had addressed Annetje as she might have one of her own children and for an instant they looked at one another, the girl wondering if it were but a slip of the tongue and the woman quick to note the impres- sion her words had made. " I think your High Mightiness may trust me," answered xA.nnetje formally. " Indeed I think I may," returned Mevrouw Var- leth, and forthwith handed Annetje the bundle of keys hanging at her girdle, telling her where the medicines might be found. " I leave the young Heer Balthazar In thy hands," she ended. And this time there was no doubt of her Intention. An- netje, with an appreciative smile at the compliment, ran off, fully determined to deserve the great lady's favour, and the dose she prepared lacked not a full measure of the bitter elements It required through any sympathy for him who had to drink It. " Mevrouw Varleth orders you to take this at once," she announced grimly, handing Balthazar the brimming cup. He took It with a wry face and a shudder of his broad shoulders. " Nay, I do not need the horrid stuff," he pro- tested. " I am as well as ever I was." " Mevrouw Varleth trusts me to see that you take It down," Annetje answered. " Well I know that It Is bitter, — but 'twill not help to sip It, — nor will you get off by spilling It In the ashes ! That would only force me to mix more, for I mean to watch till It Is gone." She spoke In all seriousness, but It 90 A Maid of Old Manhattan sounded so much as if she were addressing a small child, that they both laughed. " Have you a cardamon seed in your pocket to take away the taste?" he asked. "That's what they give to good little boys who take their medi- cine." " I looked but could find none," Annetje replied saucily. " Shall I go to your aunt and ask her where they are kept? " " Nay," cried Balthazar, and rising, drank the draft with a gulp. '' Ugh! Now I hope you are satisfied!" he exclaimed, handing back the empty cup. " Not yet," Annetje answered relentlessly. *' You are to put on a dry suit of your cousin's clothes." *' I shall make a figure fit to scare the crows in Peter's clothes," he protested. " Indeed 'tis not necessary. I am steaming finely here." *' Nevertheless you must don them at once," An- netje insisted. " It seems a pity to disturb your aunt further, but unless you go I must speak to her," and she made as if to start for the other room. "Stop!" Balthazar cried. "One tyrant is enough. I will go at once ere a worse thing befall me," and swinging on his heel he quitted the kitchen. Annetje looked after him, wondering for a moment if perchance he was offended; but she had no time to let her thoughts dwell upon Master Balthazar and, filling her tray, she marched back to the voor- huys. She was a little surprised to find that the com- pany had changed somewhat since she had last been there. Mevrouw Varleth's friends had replaced the guests of lower degree, and there was a deal of chat- ter and light laughter. Annetje paused at the The Great Director General 91 threshold a little embarrassed for the moment, and as she stood she heard the hostess speaking. *' I have no complaint against Providence," the lady was saying, " but to my thinking 'twas Bal- thazar saved my roof. You may well be proud of your boy, Peter." Annetje, with a start, glanced toward the fireplace and there, with his back to the fire, stood the Gov- ernor, Peter Stuyvesant himself. He was, of course, no new sight to her. Any day she might see him in the streets, stumping about looking after his city. She had watched him many a Sunday at the head of the city fathers on his way to church, escorted by two halberdiers and attended by the bellringer bear- ing cushions of state. But here he was in the same room with her, divested of all the pomp and cere- mony of office, and she looked at him, wondering for the first time what manner of man he might be in his own family. Clad in slashed velvet with puffed white under- sleeves and drooping collar, he stood on the hearth warming his back. His hair was well pomaded, his face clean shaven, and every band on his silver- mounted leg was polished till it shone. He was an old man of seventy-one, but there was no hint of age in his firm figure and upright bearing. " I have no quarrel with my boy," he said In answer to Mevrouw Varleth's remark. *' To be sure he's a trifle headstrong — " " As becomes the son of ' Hard-koppig Piet,' " Mevrouw threw in with a laugh. " My quarrel upon this occasion is with my sis- ter," the Governor went on, as if she had not spoken. " I like not to have a complaint against her entered by the fire wardens." ** Nay, thou needst not fear," Mevrouw Varleth 92 A Maid of Old Manhattan answered. " Although I have a good defence, in that I waited to have the steps within the chimney mended lest the sweep break his neck, I shall advise Nicholas to pay the fine ere the wardens have time to fix their penalty. Thou mayest take the frown from off thy brow, Peter, if that is all that gives thee such concern. 'Tis scarce the way to look at thy sister who, after all, has not destroyed thy town by her dilatory, unhousewifely, sooty ways." His High Mightiness was forced to smile at this, for even among the Dutch ladies Mevrouw Varleth was counted a notable housewife. *' To confess a fault and take punishment Is not so good as never to have committed it," he answered, a trifle grudgingly, " but I am relieved that you have suffered no great loss. And so will Judith be. 'Twas she dispatched me here." '* 'Twas thoughtful of her," M^evrouw Varleth answered, turning toward the table. " But 'tis Bal- thazar I have most to thank," and catching sight of Annetje in the doorway, she smiled and motioned her in. '' And here is the maid who has been dosing thy son against a chill. Did he take the potion, child? " she ended, speaking to Annetje. ** After some slight urging, your Mightiness," An- netje informed her. *' And where is he now?" asked Mevrouw Var- leth. *' He has gone to change his clothes," the girl re- plied, setting down her tray. *' I think he will be none the worse for his wetting." *' Where did you learn your doctoring, young maid? " asked the Governor, from the hearth. Annetje turned and faced him, so that for the first time he had a fair look at her. " Vrouw Pelgrom has taught me, your High The Great Director General 93 Mightiness," she responded, with a Httle curtsey. " So," said Stuyvesant, nodding his great head as he looked at her closely. " You are the child Virr- hage brought down from the north. Humm! I saw you the other day at the wall? " " Yes, your High Mightiness." " There was a savage with you," the Governor went on, bending a stern look on her. " How comes it that you walk abroad with redskins? " " Your High Mightiness," Annetje rejoined, " ever since 1 have been here the Indians have guarded me. I know not why, nor can I learn, though I have asked many times, yet there is one always near me when I am out." "' And do you talk their language? " the Governor questioned, plainly interested In what the girl told him. ** Aye, I still remember what I learned when I lived among them," Annetje returned. " Humm! " muttered the Governor, but this time he was musing within himself and seemed to have forgotten his surroundings. *' I think there will be no further need of us," Annetje said, taking this as a dismissal and turning to Mevrouw Varleth. " Madaleen and I will go now, if It is your pleasure." '' Then Madaleen Is not your sister? " Mevrouw Varleth asked, with a kindly smile. " Oh, no," Annetje answered. *' In that case some one should go with you," the lady suggested. *' I like not that you girls should be abroad so late." *' Nay, there is no need to worry on that account," Annetje told her. " Madaleen lives near us and NIckje win be waiting for us without. I shall be quite safe with him." 94 A Maid of Old Manhattan Thinking Nickje was a lad, Mevrouw Varleth made no further objection, and the two girls made ready to depart. Their hostess, with an interest in Annetje she herself could not quite account for, ac- companied them to the door, where thanks were given and good-nights said. As they stepped down from the stoep the voice of Balthazar came to them from Inside the house. " Aunt Anna," he called. *' Know you where the maid is who gave me that most bitter draft? " With a low laugh Annetje seized Madaleen by the arm and ran with her into the darkness. CHAPTER XI A GUIDE TO THE NORTH ONCE outside the range of light from the houses Nickje joined the girls as Annetje ex- pected. He always waited thus for her, be- ing not overfond of strangers and preferring to stay out of sight when he accompanied her upon her er- rands. Madaleen gave a little cry of fright when he appeared suddenly from beneath a bush by the roadside, but was reassured on recognizing the racoon. *' That animal is indeed thy familiar spirit, An- netje," she exclaimed, but at once went on with her excited talk of the events of that evening. To Annetje her experiences in the house of Mevrouw Varleth were a matter for much thought and she was inclined to be more than usually silent. Madaleen, busy chattering, heeded not the fact that she herself was doing all the talking. To both of them the evening would remain an event in their lives and they lived it over, each in her own way, strolling none too fast in the bright moonlight. " But did it not seem strange to thee, Annetje," Madaleen remarked, as they neared her home, '* that the young Heer Stuyvesant should have picked thee out of all the people there? " ** 'Twas because he saw us first," Annetje an- swered shortly. *' Nay, 'twas naught of the kind," Madaleen in- sisted. *' 'Twas thee he wanted. I saw his face 95 96 A Maid of Old Manhattan change when he caught sight of thee. Had I been with Grietje Olpherts, I vow he would never have asked us into the house. 'Tis a most romantical situation," she ended gleefully. " Be not a ninny! " Annetje retorted, angered at the suggestion. " An thou take that notion into thy head there'll be a clack of senseless gossip." " Thou needst not fear that I shall tell," Mada- leen interrupted. " I'll keep thy secret safe." " There is no secret," Annetje insisted positively. " Till tonight I have ne'er spoken a word to the young Heer Stuyvesant." " Aye, that I believe," Madaleen replied, " but wilt thou be able to say as much a week hence ? Not If the Heer Balthazar is the youth I take him for, Juffer Annetje! And though I pledge thee not to tell, I warn thee I shall watch." She laughed mer- rily and ere Annetje could reply, they were In sight of the checkered brick gable-end of the Wittsen house and Madaleen's mother was hailing them from the stoep. " Is It thee at last? " she called to her daughter. *' Had I asked thee to mind the baby till this hour thou wouldst have thought thyself fit for the grave." " Nay, be not cross, moeder," Madaleen called back. " I have that to tell thee thou wilt scarce believe. Good-night, thou sly Annetje," and ran into the house. Annetje moved on at a faster pace toward her own home. Madaleen's hints had annoyed her for the moment, but she soon dismissed the subject from her mind. " If she will only be content to tease me and not gossip to others, I shall be satisfied," the girl thought to herself, and straightway increased her pace, anx- ious to tell Vrouw Pelgrom of her experiences, for A Guide to the North 97 she was sure the good dame would be vastly pleased that she had dosed the Governor's son, and took a proper pride in the fact that she had remembered how the draft should be brewed. " If indeed the virtue of it hes in its bitterness," she thought, " then do I know that he will take no hurt." She smiled to herself, remembering the wry face Balthazar had made when he swallowed the medicine. As she turned into the Marckvelt Steegie, An- netje noticed a pierced lanthorn swinging along ahead of her, and this set her to wondering. The thrifty Dutch were little like to waste candles on a moonlight night and the girl marked the bearer as a stranger. '* 'Tis that pesky pedlar," she said to herself, and softly called to Nickje. For a moment she hesitated, then went resolutely on. She had but a step to go and, when she was so minded, she could travel as softly as any Indian. The lanthorn-bearer was in no haste however. When he came to Vrouw Pelgrom's cottage he placed the light upon a post and leaned lazily against the fence, sniffing the aromatic odours distilled by the night dews. The garden was full of herbs, balm, basil, rosemary, holy onions, lavender, sage, sweet marjoram and many others grown by the good dame for her doctoring, and the spicy scent of the air might well have invited a passerby to linger. *' I could stay here till doomsday," the pedlar mur- mured softly, " but I think she will scarce be so long as that," and he settled himself comfortably to wait. This in no wise pleased Annetje, but there was another it suited still less, one who was used to keep the town children at their distance by many a cun- ning trick. Suddenly the silence of the night was 98 A Maid of Old Manhattan rent by a loud outcry as the racoon, slipping close to the man, nipped his ankles and was gone. " I'm bitten! " shouted the pedlar, and seizing the lanthorn swung it right and left, stooping as he did so. This gave Nickje his second opportunity, for in- stinct telling him that he would be looked for on the ground, he had retreated up a small tree from which he leaped upon the pedlar's back, scratching vigor- ously in his hair. The young man might well be pardoned for his fright as he squirmed and twisted, trying vainly to wrench the beast off his shoulders and crying out lustily the while as if indeed he was being murdered. In the midst of this racket Annetje ran up and Vrouw Pelgrom opened the window of her chamber. *' Is it thee, Annetje ? " she called. *' What is this hullabaloo?" *' 'Tis only Nickje," Annetje answered, laughing a little. ** He is up to his old tricks." *' Take the beast away," begged the pedlar, wav- ing his arms like flails, as Nickje worried him. " If you will stand still a moment and not flap about like a broken windmill, I will take him off," Annetje told him. " Aye, stand still, stupid I " cried Dame Pelgrom from the window. " You're in no danger. Stop your bellowing I One would think that murder were being done. Our Nickje ne'er harmed any one in his Hfe." Thus urged, the pedlar stood still long enough for Annetje to seize her pet, who cuddled in her arms, eyeing the stranger as if daring him to touch her. " Faith," grumbled the man, *' if the beast never did harm before he has well-nigh flayed me this night." ** You have no one to blame but yourself," An- A Guide to the North 99 netje retorted. " 'Tis unlawful to loiter before an- other's door at such an hour." '' Aye, and had the Wacht caught you," cried Vrouw Pelgrom, knowing not that the man was her good customer, " fined you would have been to the tune of twenty guilders for brawling in the streets. Come in, Annetje, and let the man go his ways. I shall lay no information this time, but he must see to it that it occurs not again." Vrouw Pelgrom slammed her casement and An- netje stepped into the garden, latching the gate be- hind her. She realized that this adventure might injure Vrouw Pelgrom's trade, and though she would have preferred to quit the scene then and there, she waited a moment, meaning to placate the man a little lest his anger cause him to withdraw his order. But much to her surprise she discovered him to be laugh- ing to himself as if at some huge joke. "What is it?" she asked, astonished at his hu- mour. " Egad ! " he cried. " When next I hear one say, * This beats the Dutch,' I'll tell them their mistake. Naught beats the Dutch! Naught can! Here am I scratched and bleeding, my ankles bitten, a new calico shirt ruined, and I am told that if I but go my way and be a good boy I shall not be jailed. Ho, ho ! Naught can beat the Dutch ! " " Vrouw Pelgrom knew not to whom she spoke,'' Annetje assured him, the man's good-nature setting her to wonder if perhaps she had not misjudged him in the past. " But you knew who it was," he said with a laugh. *' Faith I never saw a maid so well guarded. Nor one who needed it less from me," he ended, with a polite bow. " I'm sorry if you've been hurt," Annetje said, lOo A Maid of Old Manhattan disarmed by his lack of resentment at the treatment he had just received. *' Nay, I was more frighted than hurt," he con- fessed readily. ^' And perchance I deserved It, see- ing that I was waiting for you when you showed me plain enough that you wished not to speak with me. I seem to be unfortunate," he went on earnestly, " in my efforts to gain your confidence. Perhaps I have been clumsy and persistent, but it has not been my intention to annoy you In any way. Indeed, I hope some day to be of service to you and In the meantime I would have you believe that I am your friend." He spoke gently now, and in his manner there was every evidence that he meant what he said. Save for the persistence which he admitted, Annetje could recall naught in his treatment of her to find fault with, and she was ready to blame herself for a certain suspicion of him which had no reasonable basis. His talking of her with Grietje Olpherts was the thing she had most resented and the special knowledge of her that he later hinted at would seem to give him some right to make inquiries as to her whereabouts. " Perhaps Fve been a little — a little hasty," she confessed with an embarrassed laugh. '' As to be- ing friends — I hardly know you as yet — and I must go in." " Just a moment, please," he begged. *' I mean not to Insist unduly, but when I spoke to you tonight it was, as I said, because you could do me a rare service an you would." " Can it not wait till morning? " Annetje asked. *' Only if it must," the young man replied. *' I hope to be on my way at dawn. All I wanted was to ask for one of your friendly Indians to be my A Guide to the North loi guide upon a journey north. I'm little used to travel in the wilderness and should I go with an escort of your choosing I would count myself more than for- tunate. Nor would it be a bad thing for the Indian. I have the wherewithal to pay my way and I doubt not one of your savage friends would be glad to turn an honest penny." " But why do you come to me? " Annetje asked, a little puzzled. " There are many Indians about the town who are looking for just such business." " I come to you because I have no wish to noise abroad the fact that I am going north," the man answered frankly. " Should I make inquiries for a guide it would soon be known throughout the city and I have good reason to keep the matter secret, which some day you shall learn." " I know not whether any of the tribe Is at hand," Annetje replied, half Inclined to meet the man's wishes. She could see no good reason why she should refuse his request and, as he truly said, the Indians were always glad of a chance to earn a trifle toward the gun all of them hoped some day to own. '' I think that if you will clap your hands again as you did by the brook, we shall find that one of your friends Is near," the pedlar suggested. " I have had the feeling of a presence near me for some time. Perhaps I am mistaken, for I confess to neither having seen any one nor heard the slightest sound." " Let us find out," said Annetje, coming to a sud- den decision in the matter, and she clapped her hands softly. Ere the echo had died away a tall form slipped Into the light of the lanthorn and stopped beside her. " I told you so," said the pedlar, " but it makes me shiver a bit all the same." 102 A Maid of Old Manhattan The Indian gave no greeting, standing silent and aloof waiting for Annetje to speak. She looked at him a moment, half surprised, for although she had never called in vain, she had never ceased to wonder at it. " O brother," she began, speaking to the Indian, " this paleface would go upon a journey to the north. He asks for one of the tribe for a guide. Can you show him the way? " " Is it the wish of my white sister that one of us go with the paleface? " the Indian asked stohdly. *' It is my wish." *' It is well," the Indian replied. " When does the paleface start upon his journey? " *' On the morrow at dawn, my brother." *' Tell him, O White Blossom, that I or another will be there to lead him," the Indian said, and vanished as he had come. *' What said he? " asked the pedlar. " That he would await you at dawn," Annetje told him. *' I can't thank you enough," the pedlar said, with all sincerity. " You have made me your debtor and I shall not forget it." " 'Tis naught," Annetje replied, turning to go; '* good-night." *' You do not know how much it Is," he told her, " but I shall not keep you longer. Good-night," and he too left her. Annetje walked slowly up the path to the cottage. She could think of no reason for it, yet the old suspicion of the man returned to her of a sudden and she looked after him, a little troubled In her mind. " I wonder If I did well, after all," she half mur- mured to herself; then, with a perplexed shake of her head, she walked quickly into the house. CHAPTER XII THE MAKING OF A LADY VROUW PELGROM was on her way to the door as Annetje opened it to go into the house with Nickje in her arms. " I was coming to call thee again," the dame cried angrily. " Hast thou been gossiping with that noisy wastrel ever since I told thee to come in? " " He was no wastrel, but thy good customer, the young pedlar," Annetje answered, in no wise dis- turbed. " Was he so ! " exclaimed Vrouw Pelgrom, plainly chagrined at this information. " Aye, and since thou wert at pains to call him ' stupid,' I could do no less than make the peace," the girl replied evenly, as she dropped the racoon on the hearth. " Thou didst well," Vrouw Pelgrom admitted grudgingly, " but that does not excuse thee for stay- ing so long abroad, knowing well that I was most anxious for news of the fire. I doubt not thou wert chit-chatting with — " '' With his High Mightiness the Director Gen- eral! " Annetje interrupted, with a toss of her head. "Art daft, child?" demanded Vrouw Pelgrom. " What mean you? " " Naught, but that Governor Stuyvesant and I stopped to gossip for a while," the girl announced with pretended indifference. She felt that in all fairness she was entitled to quizz the good dame a little as recompense for a false accusation of loiter- 103 104 A Maid of Old Manhattan ing. '* We spoke somewhat of thee," she added for good measure, to stimulate the dame's curiosity. '' Nay, now I know that something has happened to thee, Annetje," Vrouw Pelgrom exclaimed, much concerned, and putting a hand upon the girl's brow to note if it were feverish. " Hast thou had a fall and dented thy skull by any chance? " So serious was the good woman and so much con- cerned withal, that Annetje could not bear to tease her any longer and burst out laughing. " My head is as right as ever it was, save that It is full of news for thee," she cried gaily. *' Sit thee down and I will tell thee, and after. If I have not done rightly, then mayest thou scold to thy heart's content." " Already do I fear that I have been unjust to thee In my thoughts," Vrouw Pelgrom confessed, as she settled in her great chair, " but truly I have worried at thy absence, plaguing myself with thinking an accident had befallen thee." " I knew thou wast like to fret and would have come to thee sooner had I been able," Annetje said, repenting of her levity seeing that the good Vrouw's Irritation had been born of anxiety. " But here Is the story and thou shalt judge for thyself." Seated at Vrouw Pelgrom's feet, she recounted all that had befallen, telling of the events of the evening as they had happened. The fat dame broke in now and then with an exclamation of astonishment or a word of praise for the girl's judgment, particularly In the matter of the draft administered to young Balthazar. " Surely thou didst well, Annetje ! " she exclaimed, with pride. *' None In the town could have taught thee better. A little more syrup or a little less bark and the mixture would have been spoiled. I am re- The Making of a Lady 105 jolced that when I die there will be one left to carry on my work." *' I took great pains," Annetje assured her. " Even thy skilled hand could not have made it more bitter. Thou shouldst have seen the young Heer Stuyvesant's face." She laughed merrily at the rec- ollection. There followed some talk over what the Governor had said to her. " He treats all the town as he might a great family with himself at the head of it," Vrouw Pelgrom remarked. " As If they were rather naughty children some- times," Annetje agreed. " He scolded his sister for her dirty chimney." At the end of her long tale the girl asked Vrouw Pelgrom If perchance she had erred In complying with the pedlar's request for a guide; but the dame, although curious about the man's mission among the Indians, could see no objection to obliging him. " 'TIs a favour for which he will repay us In good time," she said complacently. " To my thinking he is a youth who will get on In the world, though what he can expect to gain by this journey up the great Mauritius passes my comprehension. Now must we to bed,'* she went on. " We can talk of thy eve- ning's experience tomorrow while we work. There Is one thing only I do not quite understand. How came It that the young Heer Stuyvesant picked thee and Madaleen from among all those maids? " She expected no answer to her question. Rather was she thinking out loud and Annetje, reminded of Madaleen's explanation, held her tongue. For a minute or two Vrouw Pelgrom stood think- ing, then, with a puzzled shake of her head, she turned slowly and waddled off to her own room. io6 A Maid of Old Manhattan " Good-night, my dear," she called, as she stopped at the threshold. " I doubt not thou wilt be dream- ing of the great folk thou hast been with this even, but let not thy head be turned because the Governor and his sister have seen fit to notice thee. I have found that those in high places have short memories. Good-night again, Annetje," and she closed the door behind her. The girl tarried not, for she was tired and looked for a busy day on the morrow; but as she slipped into bed the cry of the Wacht sounded plainly through the still night from a long way off. " 'Tis two o'clock of a fine gusty morning." *' Indeed, it is late," Annetje thought as she closed her eyes, and after a little she found herself laugh- ing softly as she recollected once again the face of Balthazar Stuyvesant when he had taken the draft. The last thing she remembered was murmuring sleepily, " I wonder why he did choose Madaleen and me to help his aunt? " One of the first things Vrouw Pelgrom did the next morning was to send Annetje for a supply of neat's foot oil, and while the girl was away Mada- leen Wittsen appeared upon the threshold. " Annetje is from home," Vrouw Pelgrom an- nounced crustily, scarce looking up from her work. " Nay, 'tis thee I came to see, Vrouw Pelgrom,'* Madaleen giggled, as she stepped hesitatingly into the room. *' To see me? " the dame exclaimed in surprise. *' Aye," Madaleen replied eagerly. " Since last night, when Annetje and I went among the great folks at Mevrouw Varleth's, moeder is bent on making a lady of me. Dost think that possible, Vrouw Pelgrom?" The Making of a Lady 107 " Such things have happened," Vrouw Pelgrom returned cordially. Her manner had undergone a distinct change. It occurred to her that, from Madaleen, she might hear another version of what had transpired on the previous evening, which would shed light upon certain matters that perplexed her. '' Come, sit down, child," she went on, with an in- viting smile. " What are thy moeder's plans? " " She vows my hair should be oiled against its falling," Madaleen replied with a blush of embar- rassment. '' I have told her 'twas a foolishness, but she sent me to thee, saying that it should be done if thou wouldst take a little off the price seeing that ^tis somewhat like buying a pig in a poke." " Surely to have thy hair greased and pomaded is the first step toward being a lady," Vrouw Pel- grom averred. " Nor could thy moeder have sent thee to a better place to have it done. As to the price, thou canst rest assured I shall not rob thee. Place thyself in this chair, child, and I will make thy locks lie sleek like a rat's and shine so brightly that every Juffcr in the city will envy thee. Come, my hands itch to be at thy head." Vrouw Pelgrom tied a huge apron about Mada- leen's neck, covering the whole of her frock against spattering, and with her pots on the table near at hand, began her work of beautifying by combing out the girl's blonde tresses. '' Now what hast thou to say of thy adventure last night?" she asked, when the work was well started. '' Has not Annetje told thee? " questioned Mada- leen excitedly. " Sure I have thought of little else and dreamed that the city was afire and his High Mightiness the Governor had ordered me to put it out with a cup of spiced wine." io8 A Maid of Old Manhattan " Didst find it rich inside Mevrouw Varleth's house? " queried the dame. '' Aye, never did I see such mirrors or such an array of brass and pewters! " exclaimed Madaleen. " There was ne'er a piece that thou couldst not see thy face in." " That's as it should be," Vrouw Pelgrom de- clared, nodding her head approvingly. '' 'Twill be a sad day for Nieuw Amsterdam when our ladies take up with the slothful ways of the English." *' Nay, 'tis a true Dutch household," Madaleen went on. *' The cloth upon the table was of fine Courtray damask and had one hundred and twenty- four napkins to match. One of the blacks in the kitchen vowed there were two dozen such sets in store. Never did I think to see such things. Even now I can scarce believe in my luck." "Was it all luck?" murmured Vrouw Pelgrom innocently. " Nay, I do not think it was — " Madaleen be- gan, and then halted, much embarrassed of a sudden, only to cry out an instant later with pain. " Oh, Vrouw Pelgrom, thou wilt tear out my hair by the roots! " " Hold thy head still then," commanded the dame. " If thou wilt throw it in the air like a spirited horse thou must expect a tug or two. Now tell me why thou thinkest 'twas not good fortune alone took thee to the house of Mevrouw Varleth." " Has not Annetje explained to thee how it came about that we went in? " Madaleen asked, parrying one question with another. " She said something of the young Heer Bal- thazar Stuyvesant seeing you by chance," replied Vrouw Pelgrom. "What thinkest thou? Was it by chance? " The Making of a Lady 109 "Nay, I promised Annetje — oh! Vrouw Pel- grom, surely I moved not my head then! " Madaleen ended with a little shriek. " So, thou hast somewhat to conceal from me, child," Vrouw Pelgrom cried severely, paying no heed to the girl's protest. " Out with it, or thy head shall pay the penalty." " Nay, Vrouw Pelgrom, there is naught indeed. Oh, please have a care, else shall I have no hair left." Madaleen, nigh crying, was helpless even to put up her hands, held beneath the heavy apron. " Tell thy secret then," the dame insisted inex- orably. *' My hands grow clumsy when I am thwarted." " 'Tis really no secret," the girl faltered, *' only I cannot think it accident that brought the high-born gentleman to us. That is all. I plagued Annetje last night, saying he had singled us out among all those people, and she was angered; but indeed, Vrouw Pelgrom, 'tis true he did. And he is as pretty a young man as ever I saw, and I think he must be greatly taken with Annetje to show her such a mark of favour." *' Was it Annetje put that crazy notion into thy head? " demanded the dame. *' Nay," answered Madaleen, quickly, fearing from the tone that her head was about to suffer an- other grievous pulling. " Annetje was cross with me for saying that Balthazar Stuyvesant had chosen her out of a set purpose; but he did all the same, I know he did." "Thou art a silly, romantical chit!" laughed Vrouv/ Pelgrom, and then, with a sudden menace in her voice, while the comb poised threateningly, " I hope thou hast regard enough for Annetje, who no A Maid of Old Manhattan loves thee, not to tell the town of thy foolish imag- inings." " In truth I shall say naught," Madaleen avowed earnestly. " I promised Annetje I would not; but thou hast forced it out of me with thy cruel comb." " Beauty costs much pain, my child," Vrouw Pel- grom remarked sententiously. " Thou art mis- taken in thinking I forced it out of thee. If thou art to become a lady make up thy mind to stand a pin- prick now and then." Having gotten what she wanted, Vrouw Pelgrom made short work of Madaleen's hair and though, at the end, the girl was inclined to primp before the glass in admiration of her well-oiled locks, the dame sent her off with scant ceremony. " Thou wilt not tell Annetje? " begged Madaleen at the threshold. ^' There is naught to tell save thy foolish chatter, and that I have forgot," replied Vrouw Pelgrom shortly. " She'll soon learn that I am right," Madaleen said to herself as she hurried away, and in the cot- tage Vrouw Pelgrom muttered under her breath, " A day or two will tell whether or no the wind blows from that quarter." CHAPTER XIII DOCTOR AND PATIENT **T STOPPED at the house of Ulderick Cleen I to get thee some of that caffe," Annetje an- -■- nounced upon her return. "And did he have it?" the dame asked, with much interest. '' Aye, and I bought a little to try," Annetje re- plied. " He gave me directions for preparing it, but first it must be parched. Heer Cleen says it has quite displaced beer on the breakfast tables of the rich Baltimore colonists." '' Mayhap it has, for fops and fine ladies," Vrouw Pelgrom said scornfully. " For my part I shall stick to my good beer, a certain amount of which I deem requisite for the health. Nevertheless, 'tis as well that we should test this new drink's virtues. — Madaleen was in," she added casually. Annetje looked up sharply at this news; but Vrouw Pelgrom was busy, her eyes lowered over her work, and gave no hint that aught lay behind her words. " She came to gossip of last night's doings, I doubt not," Annetje answered, in much the same tone of indifference the dame had used. " I'll war- rant she gave thee a long tale of Mevrouw Var- leth's fine furnishings? " " Aye, she said somewhat of it," Vrouw Pelgrom replied. " It seems to me that she has keener eyes to notice things than thou." Ill 112 A Maid of Old Manhattan " I can tell thee of the East India cupboard with the silver hinges," Annetje responded, a little net- tled at this suggestion that she was unobservant. " 'Twas full of porcelalnes and China nick-nacks very pleasing to look at, but a great trouble to care for, I should think. 'TIs needful in a mansion like that to have a houseful of servants. The windows have as many sets of curtains as I have petticoats." " 'TIs the kitchen I would like to see," Vrouw Pelgrom remarked. " 'TIs wonderfully complete," Annetje conceded. " There are brass and copper kettles without num- ber. Scales, spits, two gridding-lrons and pewters to the tune of a quarter of a last; beside Delft plat- ters and dishes of other wares that would, I think, come nigh to filling a good-sized ship." '' There be times," Vrouw Pelgrom said quite gravely, " when I fancy it might be most agreeable to be rich, though I greatly fear that with nothing to do I would grow stout." *' With such a calamity in mind let us envy no one!" Annetje laughed merrily. *' But in truth, Vrouw Pelgrom, with all Mevrouw Varleth's great store of fittings, her kitchen Is not half so homelike as our own. I, for one, would not exchange with her." *' Thou art not like to be asked," Vrouw Pelgrom chuckled, " yet 'tis a gracious thing for thee to say and speaks well for thy good sense. But hast thou never a wish to be a lady? When I was young and foolish the maids prattled of naught else but mating with princes and such like nonsense." " Oh, they have not stopped doing that," Annetje answered, smiling broadly. " Thou shouldst hear the talk on the Maagde Paetje. They parcel out the gentility among themselves with rare generosity. Doctor and Patient 113 One would think to hear them that there was naught else in their minds but dreams of lovers and mar- riages and such like silliness, and, when I laugh at them, they could not be more angry if all their fool- ish chatter were solemn fact." Once more that morning Vrouw Pelgrom had learned something she wished to know, and she was well satisfied with this last bit of information. There was no doubting Annetje's sincerity upon the sentiments she had just expressed, and the fat dame was well assured that the girl had no such romantical notions as Madaleen had hinted at. " If 'twas not chance brought Balthazar Stuyve- sant to her side, my girl at least has had no hand in it," she thought to herself. *' That chit of a Madaleen," she went on musing, " has set me to witless imaginings. 'Tis plain there was naught in the affair save a decent courtesy, and I would do well to forget that I gave myself up to such fancies." And at that moment a strong figure bounded up the stoep and doffed his hat with a polite little bow. " May I come in a moment, Vrouw Pelgrom? " he asked, with a winning smile. " Seeing that I drank the bitterest draft ever was brewed, I can do no less than thank the doctor who gave it me." " Pray come in, your High Mightiness," replied Vrouw Pelgrom, striving to get to her feet, but sadly flustered between her fat body and her mighty sur- prise at the young man's appearance. "Nay, nay!" he cried boyishly, stepping into the room. " Keep your seat, good moeder, and let us hear no more of High Mightinesses. I am plain Balthazar Stuyvesant, and make no claim to titles. Good-morning," he ended, turning to Annetje. " I am glad to see you well," Annetje returned; while Vrouw Pelgrom settled herself in her chair, 114 A Maid of Old Manhattan gathering her wits, lost for the moment at the sud- den entrance of this Impetuous youth. " Had I a sign of pain or ache this day I would have lost faith In all drugs," he answered. " At least of bitter ones," and he twisted his face at the thought. " Nay, 'twas not so bad as that," Annetje pro- tested. In no wise embarrassed. " I told Vrouw Pelgrom exactly how I had mixed It and she said 'twas right to the last drop." " Aye, and so It was," the dame avowed. " 'TIs a searching dose, though most unsoothing In the tak- ing. I doubt not it saved the young master a chill and fever." " Then am I the more beholden to you," Bal- thazar said, addressing Annetje. " At any rate I felt It a duty to report myself cured. I give you my best thanks." '' Indeed there Is naught to make such an ado over," Annetje replied. " Is there not, then," he laughed. " Sure, had you taken your own medicine, I doubt if you would have been so ready to forget it. But In truth I have a real grievance In that you waited not to admire me In my cousin Peter's best suit." '' Nay, I had finished my work and Mevrouw Varleth needed me no longer," said Annetje. *' And had you no curiosity to see me In those ill- fitting garments?" he replied banteringly. "I looked a very scarecrow as I knew I should, but I dared not do otherwise than obey orders." " I hope Mevrouw Varleth suffered no great In- jury from the fire? " Vrouw Pelgrom put in, deem- ing It wise to change the subject. *' She win need some new thatch for her roof," Balthazar answered, " but there is no great loss, Doctor and Patient iij though the upper floor was like to be flooded." They talked for a while of this or that, the young man seeming quite at home in Vrouw Pelgrom's humble kitchen and in no hurry to go away. An- netje went on with her work undeterred by his pres- ence, and the fat dame, watching her, could detect no undue interest in their unexpected visitor. But Vrouw Pelgrom herself was by no means at her ease. She could not deny that the young Balthazar had a good excuse for his coming to their cottage, and it might, indeed, be naught but politeness that had brought him there. There was nothing in his frank and boyish manner to suggest aught else; but in this very frankness the dame saw a danger she would like to avoid. Moreover, that the young man was attractive in all ways, she could not but admit. He was handsome, strong and by no means an idler, as the town well knew; but the Dutch laws required the consent of the man's parents as well as the maid's, and Peter Stuyvesant was the last man in the world to permit his son to marry below his station; while poor Annetje knew not even who her parents were. Even as the goodwife gossiped lightly with the young man, her thoughts were troubled lest the future held heart-aches for the girl she loved. At length Balthazar made ready to depart. " You know," he said with a bright smile, " I think I was rather clever last night. It was in my mind to wonder how I could get to know Annetje, but when I saw her at the fire and Aunt Anna wanted two maids to help her, I knew my chance had come and seized it." He ended with a cheer- ful, open laugh, indeed so frank was he that Vrouw Pelgrom looked at him in astonishment. " But why should you wish to know me? " asked Annetje, with equal candour. Ii6 A Maid of Old Manhattan " Because I have heard of the maid Virrhage brought from the north ever since I was a httle boy," he rephed. *' And some day I want you to tell me of your life in the woods. You won't mind my coming, Vrouw Pelgrom," he went on, turning to the dame and seeming to take it wholly for granted that he was welcome. " I'm sure we're going to be friends. At least I want to be," he ended with his first hint of embarrassment. " You will have to learn to take your medicine better in that case," Annetje returned unabashed. " Nay, I'll take good care not to get wet," he answered grinning. " One dose will last a long time. Good-day, Vrouw Pelgrom. Good-bye, An- netje," he called and with a jump was out of the door and down the stoep. Vrouw Pelgrom's deft fingers mixed her com- pounds mechanically while she pondered. " They are like two children," she thought. I' How can one stop them without putting notions into their heads that otherwise might never enter them?"^ " He is a nice boy, isn't he? " Annetje remarked, after a short silence. " I think I like him, and Madaleen was right after all. You know, Vrouw Pelgrom, she said he had picked us out last night, but I — " She stopped suddenly and a slight blush mantled her cheek. " But that's just silliness," she ended, and Vrouw Pelgrom saw no need to ask an explanation for this disjointed remark. CHAPTER XIV OLD wives' talk IN the days that followed, Annetje saw more of Balthazar than she realized. "Good-day, Juffer Doctor!" he would ex- claim as they met, doffing his hat and never failing to remind her of his bitter draft as if that con- stituted a bond of friendship between them. " Your patient is still well, thanks be." Annetje would reply in kind and he would step along at her side and they would talk as if they had known each other for years. Now and then he would accompany her to the cottage to have a ban- tering word with Vrouw Pelgrom, who could not but respond to his merry ways. She confessed to herself that, though she might be glad if he never darkened the door of her little home again, she nevertheless delighted in his coming and found her liking for him growing at each visit. Between Annetje and young Balthazar there speedily developed a common interest In that each had more than a usual regard for the Indians. The girl was quick to learn that he had a ready sym- pathy for the wilden, which was near her own feel- ing, and she soon found her tongue loosened as it had never been before, even with Vrouw Pelgrom. She talked unreservedly of what she remembered of her life among the red men and the young man showed more than a passing curiosity. 117 ii8 A Maid of Old Manhattan *' I want to see those little skin suits of yours/' Balthazar said to her one day, and she brought out her treasures for his inspection. At first she said naught of the peculiar design which was embroidered upon all the small garments, hoping that he might discover it himself and so prove that its significance was not born of her fancy; but neither he nor Vrouw Pelgrom noticed the lozenge shaped figure which formed but a part of the intricate patterns so wonderfully worked on the pliable leather. '' Look at this," she said finally, pointing it out to them. '' Do you think that an Indian inven- tion?" At first, even though she outlined the form with her finger, neither Vrouw Pelgrom nor Balthazar could see aught; but suddenly, as one discovers the hidden picture in a puzzle, they too discerned it. *' Nay, now, 'tis most curious! " Vrouw Pelgrom exclaimed, taking up the little jacket for a closer in- spection. " And so cleverly hid is it among the coloured beads and zeewant that, did not chance bring it to the eye, the device might lay concealed for all time." ** I cannot believe an Indian planned it," Bal- thazar said thoughtfully, picking up one garment after another. " Yet is it very cunningly contrived. It must be a label the wild woman happened to see among some settler's goods and chose to mark An- netje's belongings. Think you that is the explana- tion, Vrouw Pelgrom?" *' Now indeed that may be the true reading of the riddle," agreed the dame. *' Sure am I that it is not an Indian contrivance, else would we know of similar designs on other of their handicraft. 'Tis most curious, yet it can have scant significance, see- Old Wives' Talk 119 Ing that It was done by one of those poor heathen creatures/' There the matter rested for the time being, and Annetje, who had hoped that In it she might find a clue to her Identity, was forced to conclude that there was faint encouragement to look further In that direction. This growing friendship between the Governor's son and Annetje continued to be a source of much worry to the good dame who sought about in her mind for a speedy way to end it, yet found It not. The matter was not so easy as might appear; and though she kept Annetje as close to the house as she could, there were many errands no one else could do and, so sure as she went out, she brought back the tale of having met Balthazar. *' The boy Is his father's own son," Vrouw Pel- grom said to herself more than once during these days. *' When he sets his mind upon a thing he is like to have it." Now It happened that Vrouw Pelgrom was not the only woman In Nieuw Amsterdam who was per- plexed over this matter, so one morning, a fortnight after the fire, the good dame, noting a shadow across the doorway, looked up to see Mevrouw Varleth standing on the threshold. Annetje, at her own table, kept her eyes upon her work, thinking it to be one of the usual customers In search of beautifying remedies. " Good day, Vrouw Pelgrom," was Mevrouw Varleth's greeting as she stepped into the room. *' I have heard such excellent reports of your wares that I would fain Investigate them for myself." It was pleasantly said, and at sound of her voice Annetje looked up and caught her eye, whereupon the great lady gave her a smile of recognition. 120 A Maid of Old Manhattan " How do you do, my dear," she went on as Annetje curtsied, and then to Vrouw Pelgrom, " I scarce know how I should have managed without her the other night. She is most neat-handed, and I hear from a reliable source that she is also skilful at mixing medicines; " she ended with a laugh and a quick glance at the girl. Meanwhile Vrouw Pelgrom had struggled to her feet, her thoughts driving quickly to the point of this unexpected visit. Mevrouw Varleth was not one of those who sought the secrets of the toilet, and the dame guessed rightly that there was more at stake than any Inspection of her cosmetics. " A seat for her Mightiness, Annetje," she said a little sharply, but Annetje had been quick to set a chair, receiving another smile for reward. " Thank you, my dear," said Mevrouw Varleth, as she seated herself, and then, turning to Vrouw Pelgrom, went on most graciously. " It Is of your perfumes that I hear the most praise. My sister- in-law, the Juffer Sarah Varleth, tells me the product of your still-room surpasses mine." " Bring me a flask of the lavender water, An- netje," the dame ordered shortly, not as yet inclined to show aught but a business front to these plain advances. She knew not what was In store, but she was well convinced that perfumes were no more the object of this call than was the flattery of which she grew so quickly suspicious. Annetje brought the flask and In addition placed a damask cloth and bowl of warm water ready to the lady's hand, then stood waiting further instruc- tions. " I think," Vrouw Pelgrom spoke to the girl, " thou hadst best take NIckje for a walk. He Is not overfond of strangers, nor they of him. It Old Wives' Talk 121 might be as well to go to the Maagde Paetje and see how thy flax does." Annetje, gathering up the racoon in her arms, made a curtsey to Mevrouw Varleth and without a word quitted the cottage. She was surprised to see her a visitor there, but looked not further for an explanation than the one the great lady herself had given. Inside Vrouw Pelgrom stood grimly waiting till the girl had left the room. " Now, your Mightiness, we can talk," she said, abruptly. '' I doubt 'tis perfumes you came to dis- cuss." Mevrouw Varleth smiled easily, by no means dis- concerted by the rather forbidding aspect of the fat dame. " Were you In the colony of Connecticut I vow you would be prisoned as a witch, as was the Juffer Judith Varleth last year," she remarked. " I scarce think the reading of another's mind is lawful." There was a bright twinkle in her eye as she spoke, and her voice and manner were so pleasant withal, that Vrouw Pelgrom could scarce keep up her for- bidding aspect. " I wager your Mightiness is nigh to reading my mind this minute," she said, with a shake of her head. *' Though I dare say we might both be tested by boiling a black cock, and never get a cry out of it to convict us." *' I am no believer in witchcraft," Mevrouw Var- leth answered with a smile, " though our catechism teaches It, giving chapter and verse out of the Holy Bible. But be seated, Vrouw Pelgrom. I came not to talk of witches and the like, any more than I did of perfumes." Vrouw Pelgrom seated herself In her great chair, 122 A Maid of Old Manhattan spread her apron smooth with her fat hands the while she looked at the lady opposite her inquiringly. For a moment the two eyed each other steadily. " I doubt not, Vrouw Pelgrom," Mevrouw Var- leth began at length, " that you have a shrewd no- tion of why I am here." "" I await your Mightiness's pleasure," the dame returned, by no means ready to commit herself, though she was certain she had correctly gauged the motives of the lady before her. Again there was silence, for a time, and again Mevrouw Varleth broke it. " I must compliment you upon the way you have brought up Annetje," she said pleasantly. *' She has most excellent manners and seems well taught concerning housewifely matters." " Her learning stops not there," Vrouw Pelgrom answered, with a touch of pride in her speech. *' No Juffer in the province has been better educated than Annetje. 'Twas a part of my pact when I under- took to care for the child. I have fulfilled it as I promised his High Mightiness the Director Gen- eral ten years ago." *' 'Tis much to your credit, Vrouw Pelgrom," the great lady answered graciously. " I noted, when the girl was in my house, that she seemed not to belong to her station in life." " How know you that? " the goodwife demanded, seemingly a little nettled. *' She may be the daugh- ter of a rich patroon." *' Aye, — or of a wretched tinker," Mevrouw Var- leth replied quietly. *' The trouble is that we do not know." *' 'Tis there is the crux of the affair," Vrouw Pelgrom admitted reluctantly. " To my thinking the child is of gentle birth. That belief I have al- "A seat for her Mightiness" Old Wives' Talk 123 ways held, but until today it has been hidden in my heart. I have had no wish to foster vain desires that may never be fulfilled. As your Mightiness knows no harm can ever come from tumbling up the stairs of life. Save that she has a great longing to know something of her own family, Annetje is a happy girl, and 'tis my wish to keep her so." " But of late you have had a fear that trouble was in store for her," Mevrouw Varleth stated in a matter-of-fact tone. " Now 'tis you who take a turn at mind-reading, your Mightiness," the dame answered with a smile. " And yet I am no witch," Mevrouw Varleth re- plied, smiling in her turn. " Come, Vrouw Pel- grom," she went on, going straight to the point at last. " We are two women who know something of the world, so we may be frank in the matter before us. My nephew, Balthazar Stu^^vesant, has caused your worry or I am much mistaken." " Aye, that he has," the dame said, candidly. *' More may come of a fire than the burning of a thatch," remarked Mevrouw Varleth, half to her- self. " Lacking that opportunity, they might never have met each other." *' Nay, they were bound to come together," Vrouw Pelgrom asserted. *' 'Tis in my mind that we may plan this or that, but there is a power above us that will set our schemes at naught." " What mean you by that? " demanded the other. " 'Tis something of a prophecy, your Mighti- ness," Vrouw Pelgrom explained. " You know the child's story; how she sat with the Director Gen- eral that day when the council decided what should be done with her? Do you remember an old woman, cracked Jettje we called her, who had a floria a week from the public chest? She has been 124 A Maid of Old Manhattan dead these five years past. Seeing Annetje placed beside his High Mightiness, she spoke into my ear in this wise. ' The great Stuyvesant can order one to the cord as he has threatened to do just now; but he cannot keep that child from sharing all that one Stuyvesant has to give. She'll sit in the chair of a Stuyvesant and none shall say her nay! Mark well old Jettje's words for, when she is in her grave you'll remember them and will see them come true.' I have of late good cause to remember them, your Mightiness ! Are they to come true as that old crone declared? " " Now is that passing strange," Mevrouw Var- leth murmured, impressed in spite of herself. " I own to as little superstition as the next, but I vow this sets one a-thinking." " Aye, there you speak wisdom," Vrouw Pelgrom assented. " I thought no more of poor Jettje's babbling than of the hissing of geese until now, and though I cannot believe that the impossible will happen, yet do I feel helpless to avert that which has been ordained." " Yet must we do something," Mevrouw Varleth declared. *' The fat is not yet in the fire. Bal- thazar makes no secret of his feeling for Annetje, if indeed, you can call it feeling. Said he to me last night, ' I like to look at her, Aunt Anna. She has such a merry laugh.' And he bade me note it the next time I saw the child. Now, Vrouw Pel- grom, I do not need to tell you his parents will insist that he makes a match to suit his great posi- tion. He is an honest lad and sensible, yet is he his father's son and like to suffer if he gets not that upon which he sets his heart. I would have your help before it Is too late, to save the boy from the sure unhapplness that lies ahead of him." Old Wives' Talk 125 *' Seeing that our end is the same you may count upon me," Vrouw Pelgrom answered. " But," she went on grimly, " were the young Heer Balthazar ten times the Governor's son he would be lucky an he won her. 'Tis my Annetje for whom I am con- cerned. She is a tender flower and I would spare her unhappiness an I could. But what is there we can do save talk? " " I had thought to speak to the Governor but put the idea from me," Mevrouw Varleth replied. " My brother would take the matter with a high hand and forbid the boy to see Annetje. Then in- deed would the milk be spilled, for Balthazar is not one to give in easily. Nay, that is not the way." " Your Mightiness sees clearly," Vrouw Pelgrom replied. " I had almost resolved to forbid Annetje to meet the young sir; but she would have asked ' why? ' and I would have had no answer save the one which I could not give her. The problem is not so simple as it appears." " There is but one way, then," Mevrouw Var- leth asserted, after a moment's thought. ^' I must try to persuade his mother that a trip to the West Indies is advisable for Balthazar's health and edu- cation." " 'Tis the best plan in the world! " Vrouw Pel- grom exclaimed. " If we can but separate them before a thought of love has come to either, then are they both saved a deal of heartache. I pray your Mightiness may succeed." Mevrouw Varleth prepared to take her departure and her hostess struggled up out of her chair. *' I am relieved, Vrouw Pelgrom," said the vis- itor, *' that you are not at odds with me. Together we may be able to do something, though perhaps we are concerning ourselves overmuch. But 'tis a 126 A Maid of Old Manhattan task to try to build a barrier against fate, and if indeed that old woman's prophecy comes true you may count Anna Varleth Annetje's friend In the family. I need not conceal the fact that the child has quite won me with her pretty face and sweet frankness; but for her sake as well as Balthazar's, I shall do my best to stop their growing Intimacy." *' I thank your Mightiness for your great kind- ness,** said the dame with sincere gratitude. " In truth Annetje Is still little more than a child, but tomorrow — who can say what will happen? '* " We can only try to be prepared against that time," answered Mevrouw Varleth. " If aught of moment comes to your knowledge I shall trust you to send me news of It and I, on my part, shall keep you Informed. Let that be a pact between us and in the meantime I shall strive to have the lad sent away." With that the great lady took her departure and Vrouw Pelgrom went back to her chair shaking her head dubiously. Upon her return home Mevrouw Varleth found Balthazar awaiting her and could not refrain from giving him a hint at least, of what was In her mind. *' By the way, Balthazar," she began lightly, " I saw Annetje Pelgrom today. I fear thou mayest cause some chattering folk to linger over their tea an thou art not careful. Tea-parties are the vogue since the De Sille's took up the English fashion." She had tried to give her warning indifferently, but indeed her nephew scarce noted at the time that it was a warning. " I dislike the English," he said frowning. " I have thought for some time to talk to thee of them. My father deals with each case as It arises. Lange Isleland, Connecticut, the South River Colonies — Old Wives' Talk 127 they all trouble him; but for my part it is here in this town that the strength of the English worries me. The time is at hand when they will outnumber us man to man; but because they are law-abiding, because they side with him in all disputes, boot- lickers that they are, my father heeds it not. ' They take the oath,' he says. ' They make good Dutch- men! ' Save the mark! How many of them ever trouble to learn the language that has become their own?" '' Thy father is not altogether unmindful of the situation, I think," Mevrouw Varleth answered. " He has asked aid of Holland, but it comes not. Since the walls cannot hear, Balthazar, I will whis- per to thee, that the Honourable the West Indian Company, has the love for its province one has for a purse. So long as there is money in it, it is cher- ished, but should it need new rings or a patch of new silk netting — in fine should it become an ex- pense, it takes a deal of thinking over before the thing is done." *' Meanwhile the English encroach upon our lands on every side and those in our midst daily become more insolent. For my part I find myself taking a prejudice against even such old friends as the Allertons or Sir Harry Moody. Within me I have the conviction that some day It will come to grips with England, — and then when It is race against race, where will our docile British subjects stand? " His aunt shook her head. She was Inclined to agree with the lad. " Our hope lies in the fact that most of them came here to escape the English rule," she said. *' We hope too much," Balthazar answered, al- most sullenly, " they see the English Colonies free of our taxes and more prosperous than we. We 128 A Maid of Old Manhattan should fear Instead of hoping. Then perchance our fear would lead us to take measures to protect our- selves." '* You talk like a man, Balthazar," said his aunt. " If as you say it comes to grips with England, we shall have need of men." *' We shall," answered the lad, " but even men will not avail if we have naught to arm them with. I for one, will not urge others to go against well armed soldiers with bare hands. Remember that, Aunt Anna." Here their conversation was Interrupted, but long afterward Mevrouw Varleth remembered every word of it. CHAPTER XV THE WARNING MEANWHILE Annetje, thinking little of Mevrouw Varleth's visit and counting it but a new and good customer for Vrouw Pel- grom, set off briskly on her way, scampering with Nickje when once they were in the open, and glad of the chance to be out of doors. As she neared the Maagde Paetje she noted that the brook was swollen and began to fear for her flax. " 'TIs as well I came,'' she murmured, hurrying on. " 'Twill be all washed away an the stream rises any higher." As she neared the drying-green, which was de- serted, the bushes parted and an Indian came swiftly toward her. He was a stranger and seemed sterner of countenance than those who had guarded her in the past, but she feared him not and awaited his approach. " Seven suns ago, O White Blossom," he began in a deep voice, " I was in the north. One there has sent me with warning of a danger." "Danger!" echoed Annetje, surprised at his words. " Where shall I look for it, O red brother?" " From the forests, white sister," he answered boldly. " Our nation has suffered much. On every hand there is a murmuring like the voice of the great river when it swells to break the ice. The palefaces 129 I30 A Maid of Old Manhattan have taken our lands. The palefaces have driven off the game, so that we must hunt afar in the lands of our enemies — or starve I The palefaces have killed our squaws and our braves as they willed. The memory of oppression is strong within our peo- ple. The old wounds have been plaistered with lying words that heal naught, and the time has come when our faces are painted black and the hatchet dug up. See to it, O white sister, that in the fury of the attack a brave, blind with wrath, strike thee not. Hide, O sister, ere it is too late, or come back to me with thine own people." " Have the braves then taken to the warpath? " asked Annetje, greatly alarmed. ** Already are they upon the warpath," the savage answered. " Already are the faces of the warriors painted black. Already are the villages of the pale- faces burning. I am sent to warn the White Blos- som, whose life is dear to the heart of the Sachem. Now I go back, to come again with upraised tom- ahawk." " Oh," sighed Annetje, *' does not my red brother know that in the end the paleface takes a double revenge, and the penalties are grievous? Why can- not my people bring their complaints to the Great White Chief? He is just. He is not unmerciful to his red brother. His words are the law of this land and he will not suffer that our tribe shall be oppressed." ** 'Tis the talk of old men who have lost their teeth and can no longer bite," the Indian answered scornfully. " We warriors are strong. The blood of the young braves runs hot within them. At the name of the Great White Chief they shake their heads. Already there has been too much parleying. The doom is in the air I The time has come I The Warning 131 The red man and the pale face can no longer live in the same land. One must go. Again I warn my sister. Go not into the woods alone lest thou art taken for another, for once the arrow is loosed who can stay it?" His arm moved swiftly in a gesture of finality and he turned to go. *' Stop, O red brother!" cried Annetje. "Can naught be done ere it is too late? My heart bleeds when I think of the sorrow this will bring down on every wigwam of my people. Know you not that in the end the palefaces will beat you back? They are many and their guns shoot far. Seek a parley with the Great White Chief and find a remedy ere it is too late."^ '^ The time for parleys has passed, O my sister," the redskin answered. " Your brother was one of those who counselled patience as did the Sachem, not to save the palefaces — for we love them not and would not lift a finger to stay their just punishment — but in the hope that those of them who trade upon the weakness of our people, might be stopped and that we might continue as brothers. But your strong chiefs, for the sake of a few skins of beaver, look on while our young braves are made silly with fire-water. Now the council has decided. The tribe is upon the warpath. There is to be no turn- ing back. Soon will all have proof that the red man of the forest is no slave of the paleface but a man who will not hesitate to strike those who would rob him of his wits to rob him of his land." Without another word the gaunt savage turned and strode swiftly toward the dense woods, into which he disappeared. With her mind but half upon her work Annetje secured her flax and started hastily home. As she passed through the broken barrier guarding the 132 A Maid of Old Manhattan northern border of the town, she could not help a shudder as she saw the wretched state of its un- repair. Many rods of it were gone altogether, and should the savages rise as had been threatened, no dependence could be placed upon that frail barri- cade in its present condition. The attack would come swiftly; of that she was sure, and it was needful that all haste be made to arm against it if the Dutch of Nieuw Amsterdam were to save themselves. But in her heart was a great ache of pity that these things should come to pass. Annetje herself knew not where lay her sym- pathies. She hurried on, meaning to go at once to the Governor and tell him what she had just heard, but she could not rid herself of the feeling that in doing this she must betray those who had loved and guarded her all her life. She had learned from Balthazar, that his father would go to great lengths to keep on a friendly footing with the Indians, but she knew also that many of the Dutch held the wilden in contempt and cared naught what happened to them, so long as they gained their selfish ends. It was all too true that the trade in rum was carried on in spite of the Director's General's laws, and to that traffic might be traced most of the trouble be- tween the races. Nor was Kieft's old treachery forgotten. The memory of ancient wrongs, unex- piated, rankled in the hearts of the elders who told of them again and again as the tribe gathered about the council-fires. *' It must be stopped ! It must be stopped ! '* An- netje said to herself, as she hurried on. '' Surely it is not too late? And, if indeed they have broken out in the north, yet may they be halted ere they reach here." She went onward blindly, heeding naught about The Warning 133 her; but came suddenly to herself as a great horse drew up beside her. " Good day, Juffer Doctor.*' It was the voice of Balthazar, and she looked up to see the handsome face of the young man laughing down at her. " Have you another serious case that you look so solemn? " he asked gaily. " Nay," she replied, but with no answering smile, '' I must haste to see the Governor." "The Governor?" he exclaimed in perplexity. " Faith, that is a solemn business, In all conscience ! But I fear you cannot see him today unless you ride with me." "What mean you?" demanded Annetje. "I must see him at once." " Then must you mount behind me," Balthazar answered. " My father is not at Whitehall but out at our bouwerle, whither I am now taking my way." " Oh," exclaimed Annetje, daunted by this un- looked-for difficulty. '; What shall I do ? " "Cannot I give him a message?" Balthazar asked with some natural curiosity. " Or is it a secret mission? " " Why to be sure," Annetje replied at once. " How stupid of me not to think of it. 'Tis this you must tell him. The Indians are up in the North and mean to come here against the town. I have a warning from one of my tribe. That Is all I know, but go swiftly and, as you pass the barrier, look and see if the town Is ready to withstand such en- emies." " Is it indeed the truth you speak?" asked Bal- thazar amazed. " I cannot believe it." " It is the sad truth," Annetje made answer. " I wish It were not. And, oh, please, say to His High Mightiness, that he is the only one who can put 134 A Maid of Old Manhattan a stop to it. Beg him not to think too hardly of the Indians and to try to find a way to avoid a conflict. Go! Go swiftly for if naught is done blood will run red and — and — my heart will be broken." She ended with a sob, and Balthazar, seeing how overwrought she was, took up the reins and pre- pared to gallop off. " I shall waste no time," he told her. " Nor shall I fail to give my father your exact message. Farewell." He was off like the wind and Annetje looked after him, a sudden hope springing up in her breast. " Perhaps it is not too late," she murmured to herself. " At any rate I have done all I can." She reached home and as she crossed the threshold a great weariness came over her and she sank into a chair. "What Is It, child?" asked Vrouw Pelgrom, quick to note that something was wrong. *' I feel so hopeless," Annetje answered. " Didst meet any one upon the way? " the dame asked anxiously. " Aye, the young Heer Stuyvesant," the girl said listlessly. " He is taking a message from me to his father." She looked up and catching the mazed expression on Vrouw Pelgrom's face, remembered. ** Oh, thou dost not know," she went on. *' I am very stupid today, but my heart aches so that I can think of naught else." "Thy heart I" exclaimed Vrouw Pelgrom, her mind at once upon another cause for the pain. Then Annetje gathered her wits together to tell of the threatened danger, and the good dame's alarm put all other thoughts out of her mind. The Warning 135 "We must prepare, Annetje," she exclaimed. *' We must — " *' Nay," answered Annetje wearily, *' we are but two weak women and can do naught. This is a matter for men. We can but sit and take what comes to us. But I would that some power could change me, for I feel that being something of an Indian and something of a paleface, were I a man I might stop this war." She shook her head help- lessly. Vrouw Pelgrom looked at her a moment in deep thought. *' She calls herself a woman," the old dame mused In silence. '' Yesterday she would have said a child. What will the morrow bring forth? " CHAPTER XVI A SUMMONS BALTHAZAR STUYVESANT, speeding to- ward his father's farm, grew more and more thoughtful as he pondered the news Annetje had given him. He noted the barrier as he passed through and reahzed even better than did the girl who had bade him observe it, that the broken-down fence was but a symbol of the defenceless state in which the town stood. A long period of peace had given the people of Nieuw Amsterdam a false feel- ing of security, and though the Governor, farther sighted than his fellow citizens, had urged them not to relax their vigilance, naught was done, and each year found the town less prepared to defend itself against a surprise attack. Balthazar knew all this. He had heard his father complain bitterly that words of warning were vain and that naught but disaster would bring the Com- pany's servants to their senses. But the horror of an Indian massacre was a bitter price to pay for slothfulness, and though in the end the savages would be beaten, and a dire punishment meted out to them, yet would many scalps be taken and many a cottage burned ere the Dutchmen could rally against their wily foe. So the young man grew more and more apprehensive as he galloped his horse into the open country. 'Twas sunset when at length, Balthazar found the Director General, still in the fields among his 136 A Summons 137 blacks, directing personally the cultivation of his lands. He was mounted upon a Flanders mare of his own breeding and his first thought, when he saw his son, was for the animal, flecked with foam and panting, that drew up beside his own. *' Shame upon thee, Balthazar!" he cried, ere the youth could so much as greet him. *' Is that any way to treat a good horse? Thou hast been riding it as if thy life depended upon its speed. I had thought thou hadst more discretion than to drive a willing beast to such a pass." " I would have speech with thee alone," Balthazar answered quietly. " There is reason a-plenty for my fast riding. I must talk to thee at once." ^' Nay, presently," his father returned irritably. " I will see thee at the house and listen to thy ex- planation there. I hope thy excuse is a reasonable one else will I forbid thee to — " " 'Tis not a matter that brooks delay, your High Mightiness," Balthazar interrupted, speaking for- mally to catch his father's attention. ** I bear a message for the Governor of the Nieuw Nederlandt. He would be the first to complain an I tarried upon the way." " And from whom Is this Important message to the Governor of the Nieuw Nederlandt?" Stuy- vesant demanded testily. " By thy manner I shall expect naught less that word of an Ambassador from Spain." For an Instant Balthazar was dismayed. It might well develop that his father would scarce be impressed on learning the source of the information he brought, nor greatly credit its authority. He, himself, had been carried away by the earnestness of Annetje's manner and speech. There was no doubt in his mind that she believed firmly what she J38 A Maid of Old Manhattan had told him, and it had never occurred to him till that moment to question the reliability of her warn- ing; but as he fronted his stern father he, not un- naturally, hesitated. " Well, hast thou naught to say? " the elder man queried. " Let's have thy tale ere I waste more time with thee." *' I may not tell thee here," Balthazar replied, ** but dost thou remember a little girl Virrhage brought to this province from among the Northern Indians? " " Aye, to be sure I remember; but what of it? " the Governor replied tartly, then, on a sudden, his expression changed and he looked at Balthazar. *' Does the message come from that maid?" he questioned, after a moment. Balthazar nodded his head and the Governor, picking up his reins, moved off, followed by his son, until they halted together under a distant tree. "Now out with thy news I " Stuyvesant com- manded. " I doubt not it has to do with the sav- ages, seeing who sends it." *' Aye, that is so," answered Balthazar quickly. '* The maid has word, from one of the tribe that cared for her when she was a child, that the Indians have taken to the warpath and mean to come against the town. She begs you to stop it and pleads that you think not hardly of the red skins." " 'Twas on her account, I presume, that the warn- ing was given? " the Governor suggested. " Aye, 'twas In that way I took It," Balthazar returned. *' It seems they have a deep regard for her." " 'TIs fortunate for us," replied his father. *'When hadst word of this?'* *' I met the maid going to the Whitehall in search A Summons 139 of thee," Balthazar explained. *' I told her thou wert not there, and she gave me the message. Thou hast already noted that I wasted no time upon the road." " Thou didst well," the Governor grunted, put- ting his horse in motion. *' And we shall waste no more upon the return. Come, I may need thee. Seek another horse and by that time I shall be ready," and off he galloped toward the house, while Balthazar rode to the stables for a fresh mount. Scarce ten minutes more found the two upon the road again, heading for Nieuw Amsterdam. For the most part they were silent. The older man, realizing the task ahead of him, was even then plan- ning how he should set about rousing the townsmen, what measures should be taken to meet the expected attack and how best to repair the stockade. " I misdoubt me I shall have trouble with the Council," he muttered, half under his breath. " They think of little but their dignity and their fat fees." " But surely," Balthazar said, " they will under- stand that this is no time for talk." " The trouble is that they will not wish to under- stand," his father replied. " Have I not been at them for years to keep the town prepared against just such an occurrence? They will say in their hearts that I but try to frighten them now In order to have my way." *' The maid's warning will suffice to answer that," Balthazar suggested, but the Governor shook his head vigorously. " They will call it the vain Imaginings of a child," he burst out wrathfully. " Canst thou not hear Cornells Steenwyck protest that I am over-zealous, and bid us wait till there be further proof? And I40 A Maid of Old Manhattan will not Govert Loockermans talk of extra taxes as if they were all to come out of his tight-buttoned pockets? Aye, they will talk, — but there is a limit to my patience. An they press me too far I will act by myself, and we can discourse of the legalities afterwards." 'Twas dark when they came at length to the town, and little time was wasted in summoning the Council to the Stadthuys. The burghermeesters as- sembled in the great room and asked each other what was toward; but they had not long to wait ere the Governor took his place at the head of the table and laid the case before them. " 'Tis as I have expected a full three years now," he went on after telling them of Annetje's warning. *' The savages have not been treated justly and sooner or later they were bound to break out. It has become a sport in this province to shoot a red- skin an the notion takes a man, and now the sport must be paid for. I know not, Myneheeren, whether or no the attack upon us is near, but this I'll prophesy, that unless matters have greatly changed in this town since yestereven there will be naught done unless we force our lazy burghers to lay aside their pipes and bend their backs to save the hair upon their stupid heads. There is no time to waste in pother of the ways and means. For aught we know the attack may come ere the dawn, and, if it does, bear me witness that I have not ceased to urge, with all the might of which I was capable, that you prepare against just such a catastrophe. We will now deliberate upon the necessary tasks to put ourselves in readiness with all speed, and I look to you, Myneheeren, to support me in whatever measures I see fit to take." Governor Stuyvesant sat down and for a moment A Summons 141 or two there was a profound silence. On his right hand Vice-governor De Sille twisted his small French beard and glanced askance at those about the table. He followed Stuyvesant in all matters and felt no call to think for himself. Martin Cregler upon the other side sat straight, as befitted a soldier, and showed no sign of aught but a readiness to do the fighting that came his way. But the others, plainly nervous and ill at ease, shifted in their chairs and looked at each other questloningly, each hoping an- other of their number would voice the objections which had sprung up in his mind. For it took cour- age to oppose the old Governor. Past experience had taught them caution in combating him, and none was eager to face the first blast of scorn and anger that was certain to follow a hint of opposition to his will. " Well, Myneheeren," said the Governor, after a time, " I see by your silence that you take my view of the matter. There remains then, but to decide where our work shall start. I think there will be no gainsaying the fact that the barricade to the north of the town should have our Immediate attention. To that end — " " But, your High Mightiness," came the whining voice of Cornells Steenwyck at' the far side of the table, " am I to understand that we are to proceed in this with no other evidence save the word of a peasant girl? " "Nay, you are to proceed on my word!" the Governor answered hotly. He knew right well that he was not to have his way without a struggle and it needed little more than this knowledge to rouse his high anger. " Yet does It seem to me,'* snapped Govert Loockermans, his huge teeth showing as his lips 142 A Maid of Old Manhattan tightened across them, " that we should have diffi- culty In persuading the people that we are war- ranted In acting so swiftly when we have naught but this common girl to show for evidence of our necessity." " It may well be a hoydenish hoax," came the deep tones of Jacob Baker's voice. '' Think you any in this town would care to play such a hoax upon me?" demanded the Governor, leaning across the table toward the last speaker. " I vow 'twould be the last one ! Nay, Myneheeren, the girl speaks the truth." " I cannot but beheve, your High Mightiness," said Steenwyck, " that such extensive preparations as you have In mind would lay us open to the charge of being over-zealous." " I'd have you remember," said Stuyvesant, rap- ping his fist upon the table, " that only malignant fellows dare set themselves up against me, for 'tis treason to complain of one's magistrate whether there is cause or not." " Aye, but there are the extra taxes to be con- sidered," Loockermans still protested. " I greatly fear such measures will be unwelcome, seeing that the cost is like to be high." " Are we to count the stuyvers while the scalps upon our heads are in danger of being lifted from our skulls?" roared the Governor. "I tell you that the savages are up I They may attack before we can do aught — and you talk of taxes ! Wouldst put thy head in jeopardy for thy purse, Govert Loockermans? " *' I am not yet convinced that my head Is In jeopardy, your High Mightiness," Loockermans an- swered boldly. " Till we have some further proof that the Indians threaten us, I, for one, am In no A Summons 143 mood to vote the guilders It would cost to fortify the town. An angry flush mantled the cheek of the Gov- ernor and he was about to speak once more, when the quiet voice of Pieter Van Couwenhoeven fore- stalled him. " Your High Mightiness," he began, ** it needs but the assurance that we are in danger to put us all at your command. Lacking that, 'tis but natural there should be hesitation upon the part of some of us. We have had our warning through your son. I doubt not the maid sent it in good faith, but it could do no harm and might do much good if we were to hear the full tale from her own lips." For several minutes Stuyvesant sat with his head hung down in deep thought, then he rose and strode across the room, opening the door into the great hall. " Balthazar," he called, *' take with you one of my halberdiers and go fetch the maid at once." CHAPTER XVII WORD FROM THE SOPUS WHILE Balthazar was delivering Annetje's message to his father the girl and Vrouw Pelgrom were preparing the evening meal in silence. Each was busy with the thoughts and apprehensions roused by the sudden warning, and every-day affairs were carried on mechanically. They worked for a time at the compounding of the remedies ordered by the young pedlar, but the dame could not keep her mind upon the task and at length gave up trying. " Put the stock and Implements away, child, I have no taste for the business since thy news came." She pushed the pestle and mortar across the table. " I'll help thee with the supper." In truth the good dame was much upset. She needed not a great imagination to conjure up the horrors of an Indian attack. During the early days of the settlement she had spent hours of anguish, huddled in the fort with the women and children of the town, shuddering as the wild war-whoops pierced their ears and watching flame-tipped arrows flying over the palisades. As the fight grew hotter she had loaded a musket, standing beside the bar- ricades in danger of her life, and through the ports had seen the half-crazed savages, hideous In black war-paint, burn and pillage till, by a brave sally, the Dutchmen had driven them off. She feared the wilden, as she called them, and shuddered anew as 144 Word from the Sopus 145 this threat brought back to her, with foreboding clearness, the experiences of the past. " Canst think it possible thy savage blustered to frighten us?" she asked, though in her heart she knew the question was born of a vain hope. " Nay, he came but to warn me," Annetje an- swered. " Nor did he look to have me play the traitor to my tribe." "Now what maggot hast thou in thy brain?" demanded Vrouw Pelgrom. " 'Tis beyond reason that thou shouldst have kept such knowledge to thyself." " I do not know," Annetje replied wearily. '' I am as a ship without a rudder. One thing only is clear, there is wrong upon both sides and killing will never set matters right between them." There was silence again for a time while they went, half-heartedly, about the preparations for their supper. Annetje, her sympathies dragged this way and that, was concerned only that the con- flict should be avoided. Of the grim realities of such a war she knew naught. Stories of Indian attacks upon solitary traders she had heard, as well as of wanton killing of redskins by the whites; and having a lively remembrance of their tender care of her, it was impossible that she should attribute to these friends of the forest all the savagery ascribed to them by the Dutch. Indeed, with a wisdom be- yond her years, she thought not so much of the impending danger as of the endless feud this quarrel would give rise to. Tales of wrongs, long forgotten by the palefaces who had wrought them, were re- counted again and again beside the council-fire, and Annetje, her mind sharpened by her anxiety, recalled dimly the wrinkled faces of old braves who chanted of oppression and asked for the blood debt, until 146 A Maid of Old Manhattan the young men fingered their tomahawks, itching to be upon the warpath. Tne cry in her heart was for a way to stop it. To find a plan by which the Sachem and the great Stuyvesant could reach an understanding. But how could she, a humble maid, bring such a miracle to pass? Then, as she and Vrouw Pelgrom sat at supper, another thought came to plague her and she looked up suddenly at the dame across the table. " Thinkest thou, Vrouw Pelgrom, the young ped- lar could have aught to do with this uprising? " she asked. "Nay, how could he?" replied the dame, sur- prised at the question. *' Yet why did he go north? " Annetje murmured, as if to herself. '' Now that I have set my mind on the matter I can see but one reason. He went to trade with the Indians." *' Aye, that may well be," the dame agreed. *' There is naught against that. Nigh every able- bodied man in the city has done as much." *' But never so secretly," Annetje returned. *' He wished no one to learn whither he went, and so came to me for a guide. That would take him straight to my tribe, and they would be the ones to barter for his rum and his muskets." "What meanest thou, child?" Vrouw Pelgrom demanded, seeing the drift of this argument but dimly, yet realizing something of its effect upon the girl. " I mean that this sneaking pedlar has been at unlawful tricks and has made a cat's paw of me for his scheming," she cried bitterly. " He has taken fire-water to the young braves and they have been Word from the Sopus 147 crazed. That Is why they have gone upon the war- path — and the blame is mine I" Her voice was full of pain and great tears filled her eyes. " Nay, child, why torture yourself wath such imaginings?" The dame spoke sharply for she saw that Annetje was like to suffer if she persisted in this notion. " The young man has done naught of the kind, I vow! " " Why then was his mission so secret? " Annetje Insisted. " I'll tell the Governor and have him jailed as he deserves." " Aye, and get thyself, and me. Into a fine pickle seeing that thou canst prove naught," declared Vrouw Pelgrom. " Knowest thou not that 'tis no light offence to deprive a man of his good name through mere suspicion? I am surprised at thee, Annetje. Thy sole excuse is that thou art over- wrought. Nay, nay! I am not scolding thee. Come to me, child. I love thee dearly and my heart is sore to see thee strive to blame thyself for some- thing thou canst have naught to do with." The good dame held out her arms and Annetje went straight to her with a sob of misery. *' If I could but do something," she wailed, hiding her face in the ample bosom. " Oh, were I a man, not a weak maid fit for naught but to weep." Vrouw Pelgrom comforted her as best she could and ere long Annetje dried her eyes. Soon there- after they went to bed and, though the girl had not expected it, she slept almost at once, her spirit and body worn out with vain strivings for a plan to avert the Impending catastrophe. She came to her senses with a start, conscious of something unusual happening. The fire on the hearth had died out, so that the room was in total 148 A Maid of Old Manhattan darkness, and she wondered for a moment what hour of the night it might be. Then a sharp rap at the door startled her and she sat upright in bed. *' Who is there ? " she called, throwing back the covers, ready to jump to the floor. " 'Tis I, Balthazar Stuyvesant," came the an- swer. " I am sent by my father to fetch you to the Stadthuys. He bids you come at once." By this time Annetje was out of bed, stirring the ashes to find a coal to light the betty-lamp. " I will go with you as soon as I am dressed," she made answer, and lost no time in setting about her toilet. She heard the young man seat himself upon the stoep and hurried with her dressing, knowing that the summons must be an important one, brooking no delay. But ere she was ready Vrouw Pelgrom, waking, called to know what was amiss. Annetje went to her and explained, at which the old dame, a mon- strous figure in flowered calico, sitting up in bed, shook her night-capped head solemnly. *' And who has brought the message? " she asked. *' The young Heer Stuyvesant," Annetje told her. *' I must hurry." *' Nay, come here one moment," Vrouw Pelgrom insisted, and when Annetje drew near to the bed she whispered, " See to it, child, if the Governor questions thee about this business, as he surely will, that thou sayest naught regarding thy suspicions of the young pedlar. When thou hast proof, then Fll be the first to bid thee speak, but until that time I command thee to hold thy tongue and tell only of those things of which thou hast real knowledge." There was no gainsaying the earnestness of the dame's injunctions, and, realizing that an injustice Word from the Sopus 149 might be done, Annetje promised to hold her peace. " Yet do I believe he has had a hand in it," she in- sisted obstinately, " and when next I meet him I shall tax him with it. I will come back to thee as soon as I am let go by the Governor." She was soon dressed and putting on a huik, a long cloak with a hood, she stepped out of the house. "What is toward?" Annetje asked Balthazar, as they started. " Nay, I know not," he answered, " though I judge 'tis about your warning of the Indian rising." " Then the Governor came at once, when you gave him my message? " *' Aye," Balthazar replied. " He took the mat- ter most gravely and has wasted no time to set our defences in order. At least he has called the coun- cil together and they sit at the Stadthuys planning what steps shall be taken on the morrow. I waited in the hall, and of a sudden the door opened and my father bade me fetch you with all haste." " I plagued myself for a while," Annetje said, " thinking his High Mightiness might be scornful of such a message from a maid; but took heart, feeling sure he would understand. I fear him, mightily," she went on, with a nervous little laugh, " but of all the men I ever heard of, I think he is the one best fitted to meet so grave a situation." " You need not fear my father," Balthazar as- sured her. *' He is gruff and stern and stands roundly upon his dignity, which I hold he should do in his position, but he has a heart that feels for those who suffer and a will to help them. To be sure he is an ill one to cross, as I have learned to my sorrow; but In truth his first thought is for this province and I think he would lay down his life if need be, to make it prosper." 150 A Maid of Old Manhattan They came to the Stadthuys in good time, and Balthazar, as they went in, spoke a word of caution in her ear. " Hesitate not to tell my father what is in your mind, Annetje. Though he may seem to pay scant heed, nevertheless does he weigh well all he hears and act accordingly." A moment later Annetje found herself inside the council chamber and there was a great shuffling of chairs as those within turned to look at this frail girl whose message had brought them there. The guttering candles filled the room with a smoky mist, out of which the faces of men peered as each bent his gaze upon her; but Annetje had eyes only for their great leader at the head of the table. " Come hither, child," he called to her, with a wave of his hand, and Annetje crossed the room and stood beside his chair. " Here, Myneheeren, is the maid of whom I told you," he went on. *' I will bid her recount her tale, but first I would have you mark well her bearing and see if in it you can find aught that would lead you to doubt her story. "^ Again there was a craning of necks which might have embarrassed the girl under other circum- stances; but she thought not at all of herself and fronted them calmly, standing at ease beside the Governor. *' Now, child," he said gruffly enough, but lacking not a deeper tone of sympathy and consideration, *' let us hear how the Indian warned thee. Fail not to give each circumstance as it occurred and hold naught back because thou believest it of little mo- ment. We shall be better judges of the importance to attach to such incidents than thou. Begin at the beginning and fear naught." Word from the Sopus 151 Thus admonished, Annetje described her meeting with the brav^e, and what passed between them. None interrupted her and soon she had given them all the facts; but ere she had finished she was aware of the cold indifference of her audience and won- dered why she had failed to rouse that feeling of apprehension of which she w^as herself so keenly aware. " So, Mightinesses," she ended, " I thought it my duty to send word with all speed, seeing that the Indians were already upon the warpath and know- ing not how soon they might attack the town." She paused and for a moment there was silence, then the Governor spoke sharply. " Does any one still think this may be a hoydenish hoax? " he demanded, glaring from one to another of the men about the table, as if daring them to say they did. ^' 'Tis possfble the savage might have been play- ing a joke upon us," Jacob Baker murmured half heartedly. "Oh, no!" cried Annetje quickly. ''The Indi- ans are not given to such light tricks. He was much in earnest and — " " Then why did he warn thee? " Steenwyck inter- rupted with a snarl. " Sure 'tis unheard of for these bloody redskins to send notice of their coming." " Hast thou not understood that he came to save the maid?" cried the exasperated Governor. " They have a tender feeling for her and would spare her harm, but I'll warrant you they have no such feeling for the rest of us. Nor in my heart can I much blame them." " I must tell your High Mightiness," Govert Loockermans put in, " that I, too, place small reli- ance upon this tale — " 152 A Maid of Old Manhattan "What! " snapped the Governor. " You doubt the maid's word? " " Nay, nay, your High Mightiness," the other hastened to say. " I do not question her veracity, but her judgment may very well be at fault — " " 'Tis my judgment you must rely upon, sirs," the Governor shouted, growing more and more angry as the resistance to his will became increasingly ap- parent. " Yet must I tell your High Mightiness," Loock- ermans insisted, " that seeing on how slender a thread we have to hang our decision, I cannot in con- science vote to spend all the vast sums needful to carry — " " Leave thy conscience out of the matter, Govert Loockermans," the Governor roared. " 'Tis hidden in thy purse, for where that is touched thou art ever mindful of thy strict duties to the tax payers. Listen, Myneheeren," he went on, his voice rising threateningly, '* I have come to the end of my pa- tience. I am not minded to let this city lay open longer to attack, and if the burghermeesters and schepens will not act with me then, I tell you plain, I will act without them I Think you I will let myself be balked by timid councillors who look first to their private interests and would risk all to save a few guilders in taxes? I tell you, no ! I have not come to these years of my life to be hampered by rules and weak laws. I am the Governor of this province and, whether you like it or not, my orders shall be carried out." *' Then shall a remonstrance be lodged with the Company in Holland! " came the threat. The Governor sprang up, his wooden leg stamp- ing upon the bare floor, and leaning across the table, he shook his fist at the one who had spoken. Word from the Sopus 153 " An I were sure of that, Paulus Van der Grist," he shouted, shaking with passion, '' I would make thee the shorter by a head and send thee back to Holland in a box at my own expense to make thy remonstrance in person." *' Nay, let us not quarrel, your High Mightiness," came the soothing tones of Pieter Van Couwen- hoeven. '* If there were but some further evidence of this uprising we would be quick to grant your requests." '^ Aye, 'tis proof we want," agreed Steenwyck. "Proof!" thundered the Governor. "Proof! Are you men that you ask proof of what the Indians do upon the warpath? Must I bring you scalpless women and burned children — " His bitter words were broken In upon by the sud- den thrusting open of the door through which half- staggered a man dressed in skins whose pale face showed plain evidence of strain and fatigue. "Your High Mightiness!" he cried. "I am come from Wiltwyck in the Sopus, having traversed the river in a canoe without stop. The Indians are up ! Nigh the whole village has been burned and forty-five women and children have been taken pris- oners. How many dead there are, we know not, but I am sent for help, which must come quickly if any are to be spared." " There is your proof! " The Governor's voice rang out above the din. " I warrant you are satis- fied now that this is no hoax. Out and rouse the city! We have wasted too much time already. See to it that we have a company on the way to succour Wiltwyck ere the sun is an hour high. Martin Cregier, you will lead. Dally not in your prepara- tions." In a twinkling the room was empty save for the 154 A Maid of Old Manhattan Governor, who stood at the table facing the man from the Sopus, and Annetje leaning against the wall, her face buried in her hands. What she had dreaded had come to pass and she saw in it the be- ginning of an endless feud. CHAPTER XVIII THE GOVERNOR PAYS A VISIT **"^^TOW let us have a straight tale, friend," said l^y the Governor, addressing the man from -^ ^ Wiltwyck. " I can give you ten minutes ere I must be about my duties. My heart misgives me this is an evil day for the province." " Aye, that it is, your High Mightiness," was the answer. '' They attacked us just after the men had gone to work in the fields. We knew naught till a horseman rode out shouting that the savages were up, and on the Instant, from every corner of the settlement the warwhoop was raised. I heard that the redskins had sneaked In on the pretence of selling beans. We drove them off at last, though we were but poorly armed and the toll of deaths and burnings was heavy. Me they sent down the river for help, but I saw with my own eyes that every house in the new town was burned. How many there are stand- ing in the old part I fear to hazard a guess. Of the deaths I have no reckoning, and save that my wife and child are taken captive, I know no more, your High Mightiness. But doubtless other mes- sengers will be dispatched." The man's voice choked and he staggered from weariness and hunger. At the same moment Bal- thazar appeared in the room. " Has your High Mightiness any further need of me? " he asked. *' Aye," answered his father. " Take this man 155 156 A Maid of Old Manhattan to the Fort and see that he Is fed and cared for. He is exhausted from his quick journey and must have every attention." As the messenger left the council-chamber the Governor caught sight of Annetje. *' Art here yet, child? " he exclaimed. " In truth I had forgot thee." He saw that she was distressed and looked into her face with ready sympathy. " We are too late, your High Mightiness," she sobbed. " We are too late." " Nay, we shall save the city," he answered. " There will be no hanging back now. We shall be ready to meet out a just punishment ere they can move against us. Fear not, child." " Nay, 'tis not for the city I fear," Annetje re- plied. " My heart is in the forest with those who cared for me when I was a baby. What will be their end if you seek to destroy them? " " Aye, thou hast had a painful part to play," the Governor murmured. " I can well understand how thy affections are twisted this way and that. But thy Indians have set upon us and must be cured of their treachery." " But your High Mightiness," Annetje pleaded, the tears running down her cheeks, *' it will not end with this war. The wilden believe that they are Injured. Many times have I heard the men of the tribe complain bitterly of their treatment by the palefaces — and indeed they have cause. Wicked traders traffic In rum till the young men are made as children and the wise ones of the tribe lose their command over them. Then It is that old wrongs seize upon their minds and they cry for vengeance. O your High Mightiness, is there naught that you can do? You are wise and know that one killing leads to another. Will the time never come when The Governor Pays a Visit 157 the red men and the white become truly brothers? " " What would you have? " asked the Governor. " Ah, that I know not," Annetje answered. *' I am but an Ignorant maid, yet if one who had their confidence spoke to the Indians and showed them that the Great White Chief is their friend; if — if — Oh, I know not how to tell you but inside of me I feel that there must be some way to deal with them short of war. It seems a foolish thing to say, but if even I went and spoke to them of your friendship they might listen and repent their misdeeds." " I am far from feeling friendly toward them now," Stuyvesant said, grimly. '' Nay, child, these are matters beyond thy reckoning. Get thee home, for thou hast done all in thy power and I thank thee heartily for thy promptness and good sense." He took her arm and led her to the door with a manner as kindly as he might have employed toward a daughter of his own. " Then even you can do naught,'* she murmured at the threshold. " I can make the savages sorry that they went upon the warpath," he answered sternly. " But only until they see another chance to kill and burn," she replied. " Nay, your High Mighti- ness, an you can find no other way to treat them, then will there always be war between the Dutch and the Indians ! " With a sob she turned away, leaving the Governor staring after her thoughtfully. Ere Annetje reached home the Watch was running from house to house calling the men of Nieuw Am- sterdam to assemble before the Stadthuys and take prompt action. Shouts and calls echoed about the streets; lights gleamed in darkened houses; fright- ened housewifes, thrusting their nightcapped heads from the windows, bawled loudly to discover what 158 A Maid of Old Manhattan was toward, and In a twinkling the city was astir. Vrouw Pelgrom was up and clamouring for the news when Annetje at length reached the cottage. But the bare facts only were recounted, though the dame asked question upon question, trying vainly to rouse the girl to the state of excitement she herself felt by reason of these unusual happenings. " A plague upon thee, child." She exclaimed at last in exasperation. '' I think thou wouldst not wink an eye an thy wilden came and scalped us all in our beds. Hast never a thought for the poor murdered women of the Sopus? " *' Aye, 'tis very pitiful," Annetje answered. *' How could those who treated me so tenderly do such cruel deeds? " And that was nigh all Vrouw Pelgrom could coax or scold out of the girl in the way of personal opinion. For the most part she was wholly silent and for the next few days went about her work with the air of one whose thoughts were far away. In her idle time she petted the racoon, and at night when Vrouw Pelgrom had gone off to bed in high dudgeon at her continued reticence, she would sit upon the hearth near the glowing coals of the dying fire and whisper to NIckje all the sorrows and per- plexities that irked her aching heart. Meanwhile the city roused by the calamity in- flicted upon the settlement at Esopus, had rallied with feverish energy to the Governor's call. Ere the sun was an hour high a goodly company of men under Martin Cregier and Pieter Van Couwen- hoeven had embarked at Canoe Place to join forces with those left in the stricken village. There had been some talk of the Governor himself leading this party and he would have liked naught better but there was need of home protection and many mur- The Governor Pays a Visit 159 mured, and would have had all the men held against an attack on Nieuw Amsterdam. " Nay," the Governor answered these timid ones, " 'twill cost us less to fight the enemy in their country than in our own." Nevertheless he himself stayed behind and saw to it that those necessary measures of defence which he had been urging for so long were at last effected. News of all this reached Vrouw Pelgrom's cot- tage through Madaleen Wittsen. She ran in ex- citedly with round eyes and flushed cheeks to tell the latest rumours and to gossip with the dame who mourned her own inability to go abroad and learn at first hand all that kept the town in a ferment. Madaleen told of the scene when the great boats full of armed men pushed off from the shore on their trip up the river. She had witnessed the tearful farewells of wives and children left behind, and was never tired of recounting them. She knew the name of each man who had gone, and with animated shud- derings repeated dismal prophecies of disaster that came from the lips of the gloomy old crones who foretold the worst. She had word of each messen- ger from Wiltwyck who carried advices reported to contain further details of the massacre, and so ex- aggerated were these stories that soon no tale was wild enough to fail of wide belief. Vrouw Pelgrom Inquired minutely into all the details Madaleen was so eager to recount. " There'll be a many who ne'er come back to the city," she croaked, " and 'tis the poor who will suf- fer. When fighting is toward all the Heeren make way for the common man. Thou wilt notice, Mada- leen, that there is no Stuyvesant nor Bayard in the company," she ended bitterly. Of these things Annetje never spoke. She lis- i6o A Maid of Old Manhattan tened with a sorrowful expression on her pale face while the others talked, but asked no questions and could not be brought to tell what was in her thoughts. Yet she craved news from Wiltwyck, her mind dwelt ever upon the events taking place there and, although she knew it was far too soon to expect any tidings of the party to be sent against the Indians, she al- ready began to dread the day when information that it had started should come. Late one afternoon she had gone out upon an errand, and upon her return was startled to find his Excellency, Governor Stuyvesant, sitting in the kitchen with Vrouw Pelgrom who looked flustered enough at having to entertain so exalted a visitor, though, indeed it needed no less than the highest to put her out of countenance. As Annetje entered the great man was speaking. " I will not take this step without your approval, dame," he was saying, but in a tone that was far from conciliatory. " It is not my intention to relieve you of responsibility. You shall have the final word, if indeed the child is willing to meet my wishes." "What wishes. High Mightiness?" Annetje asked, knowing that this talk must be of herself. " Ah, here you are," Stuyvesant remarked, and he smiled at the girl, his face softening as he greeted her. *' Sit thee down, child. I have somewhat to say to thee since it was thou who set me thinking." Annetje sat down, a sudden hope springing up in her heart, though she had no notion what this un- expected appearance of the Director General por- tended. Vrouw Pelgrom looked at her uneasily, but the girl was conscious of naught save the stern face of the man before her. " I have come to propose a task for thee," he be- gan after a moment. " 'Tis a heavy one and should The Governor Pays a Visit i6i be carried by broader shoulders than thou hast; yet it is worth the doing." *' I am ready, your High Mightiness," Annetje said steadily. " Aye, that I know," the Governor agreed, " and it is in my mind to let thee do it. Yet seeing that thou art a maid of tender years I have decided not to put a command upon thee." *' Nay, I need no command, your High Mighti- ness," Annetje answered. " If the matter is what I think it, 'twould be my dearest wish." " That knew I also," the Governor commented. *' And for that very reason the decision shall be left to the goodwife here. She stands In the place of a parent to you — " " And could not love her better were she my own flesh and blood, your High Mightiness," Vrouw Pelgrom put In, with a tremor In her voice. '' That Is as it should be," grunted the Governor, plainly Ill-pleased at the Interruption. " Here's the crux of the matter, child," he went on to Annetje. " My good friend, the learned Doctor La Montagne, has received a letter from Wlltwyck. His daughter, the Mevrouw Van Imbroeck, was carried away into captivity by the savages." Annetje gave a sigh of pain and would have spoken, but the Governor raised his hand for silence. " She has escaped," he went on, '' and offers to lead an expedition to the secret hiding-place of the Indians. 'TIs In my mind that thou wilt make an excellent Interpreter, seeing that 'tis this tribe that once held thee. And I propose that thou shalt ac- company Mevrouw Van Imbroeck. Art willing? " " There Is no need to ask, your High Mightiness," Annetje replied, her face showing the truth of her words. 1 62 A Maid of Old Manhattan " Then, dame, 'tis for you to decide, whether you will permit it," the Governor said, turning to Vrouw Pelgrom. *' Nay," cried Annetje, jumping to her feet, *' I must go I " "Softly! Softly I" Governor Stuyvesant cau- tioned. " As I said, this Is not a matter I shall force upon thee, and as thou art not yet of age to determine for thyself, Vrouw Pelgrom must have the final word. What shall it be, dame ? " he added, facing her. *' Oh, your High Mightiness, how can I let the child go into such danger?" Vrouw Pelgrom pro- tested. Annetje crossed swiftly to her and putting her arms about her neck, hugged her close for an in- stant. *' There will be no danger for me, Moeder Pel- grom," she pleaded, using the name the good dame loved best. " Thinkest thou my tribe would hurt their white sister? Indeed there is no fear that harm will come to thy Annetje. But oh, if thou knewest the longing in my heart to reason with them—" " But the way is perilous and thou wilt be alone among soldiers who think of — " " Nay, I told you Mevrouw Van Imbroeck would be of the party," Stuyvesant interrupted Irritably. " From here to Wiltwyck the maid will have for company the worthy Vrouw Luyck, who goes north on some matter of an inheritance. I am not minded to help you come to a decision, but there is no need to invent difficulties. As to the soldiers you seem to mistrust, they shall be Instructed to use all care and courtesy. Come, dame. Give me ves or no, for there is no time to waste in fancied terrors." The Governor Pays a Visit 163 In truth Vrouw Pelgrom was in a quandary. There were reasons a-plenty why she should hesitate to let Annetje go, and little to be said, so far as she could see, in favour of giving her permission. The Governor had told her naught or his motives for the request save that the girl might act as interpreter for the war party in case of need, and the dame knew well that there were a dozen men among the soldiers who could make themselves understood with the Indians of any tribe. Without question there were objections to Annetje's going, and she feared not to deny the great Stuyvesant were she so minded; yet was there one consideration that urged her to give her consent. The very fact that Bal- thazar's father had made the request seemed to the dame to show the hand of fate. To refuse this opportunity to separate the young people would be flying in the face of Providence. Thus did Vrouw Pelgrom argue with herself and by such reasoning reached a sudden conclusion. " The child shall go, your High Mightiness," she said. "Goodl" cried the Governor, briskly. "Now off with you and prepare her trappings. I have in- structions for her ear alone and she leaves the town in an hour." " So soon ! " exclaimed Vrouw Pelgrom, her mis- givings again aroused by the suddenness of this demand. " Aye, so soon," he answered. " I have arranged for a swift canoe to take her, in order that she may reach there in good time. But she must start tonight, else will her going avail naught. On with the packing, good dame, and waste no precious min- utes in vain words." Vrouw Pelgrom waddled off to the other room, 164 A Maid of Old Manhattan In no wise pleased by the Governor's peremptory orders, yet powerless to gainsay them; and the mo- ment the door had closed behind her Stuyvesant motioned Annetje to him. " Listen closely, child," he began, lowering his voice. " Thy words in the Stadthuys set me to thinking. Thou art right in saying that one killing but leads to another, and I am not minded to add to the enemies of the company, who are not of this new land alone. The wilden have not been alto- gether well treated and I am ready to meet them half way." " Oh, I am so glad, your High Mightiness," An- netje whispered, overjoyed at this news. " At last can I see a hope that some day there will be a real friendship 'twixt the red men and the white. And your High Mightiness wants me to tell them? " " Nay, 'tis a matter not so simple as thou think- est," the Governor continued. *' All must be done in secret. I cannot stop what has been set afoot. Thou wilt find all in Wiltwyck clamouring for re- venge — and with good reason. An I would, I could not halt this expedition against the Indians; but I would we could delay a meeting for if they come to grips there is like to be a grim battle in which thy wilden are sure to lose. Also must the captives be returned forthwith and a proper penalty paid for blood guiltiness. 'Tis their own custom and 'twas that of ancient Greece. I fear no trouble on that score. They will know that I cannot over- look the fact that a treacherous deed has been com- mitted, nor would I. There must be reparation; but retaliation I would spare them if I can, an they will do their part." " I think they will, your High Mightiness," An- netje broke in earnestly. " 'Tis certain that by now The Governor Pays a Visit 165 they have repented, but are desperate and know not what to do save fight." " On that condition I rely to make the war as brief as possible," the Governor agreed. '' If thou canst in any way win to them and lay before their chieftain my disposition to deal leniently, then much may be spared. How thou canst accomplish this I know not, for it must be In secret and without the knowledge of those with whom thou goest. I can lay no commands upon the leaders of the expedition to this end, for indeed so angered are they and with such good cause, as thou must admit, that I doubt if they would listen to me. To thee then, must the trust be given, to seize what opportunity Is presented to thee and use what means thou hast to persuade the savages to make reparation. If thou hast speech with them In private I give thee leave to say in my name that I shall do all In my power to bring about a council that will end the causes of enmity between us. 'Tis a task beset with difficulties and a heavy one for thy young shoulders to bear, but I know thy heart is In It and thou wilt do thy utmost." "" Indeed I will, your High Mightiness," Annetje answered. " I am Impatient to set out — " " Aye, but let not thy Impatience cloud thy better judgment," the Governor Interrupted, getting up. " As an excuse for thy going I have here a letter from Doctor La Montagne saying that thou art to accompany his daughter. I did not mention It be- fore, but he has begged that If possible some female be sent for that purpose, seeing that the women of Wiltwyck are too frightened to be depended upon — and moreover there are few of them left." The Governor took two letters out of his pocket, one of which he handed to Annetje, holding the other back for a moment. 1 66 A Maid of Old Manhattan " This," he went on, " Is an Impression of the great seal of the NIeuw Nederlandt. It will per- haps be a sign for the Indians that thou speakest in my name. 'Tis not without hesitation that I entrust thee with it, but if aught is to be accomplished in this world, risks must be taken." He gave her the second envelope and looked down at her earnestly. *' I wish thee well in thy undertaking," he said, his voice growing gentle. " Thou hast had a strange life for all thy little years, and thy tender heart, child, leads thee to a wisdom beyond thy experience. Count Peter Stuyvesant thy friend, whether or no thy mission succeeds. Now must I be about my business, for when I am not at hand the work slackens. Delay not in thy preparations, for al- ready thou art expected at Canoe Place and must travel night and day to reach the Sopus ere the expedition starts. God be with thee. Surely 'tis upon His service thou goest. Farewell." He laid his hand upon Annetje's shoulder for a moment, then stumped out of the room. CHAPTER XIX CROSS PURPOSES A NNETJE found Vrouw Pelgrom In an exceed- Jl\ ing ill-humour by reason of the outcome of the JL Jl Governor's unexpected visit. *' How am I to get on without thee?" she de- manded, as if the blame lay wholly with Annetje. " There is Madaleen who will be glad to help thee," the girl replied. '* A clumsy, vain and gossipy chit!" the dame exploded. " Set upon aping her betters." *' Nay, thou hast always liked Madaleen," An- netje protested. '* And what has liking to do with the matter? " the Vrouw retorted. " Will liking compound my medicines? Will liking distil my perfumes? Nay, I think not. When I have most need of thee, off thou goest on a junket, caring not a jot if I am left to depend upon a silly maid who has no head for aught but romances. Annetje held her tongue, knowing well that to argue was useless. The dame, torn between her desire to break off the growing intimacy between Annetje and Balthazar and her fear that some harm might befall the girl upon the journey, was in no state to hear reason. In one sense she had hailed this opportunity to send the girl from the town for a time, but, true to her Dutch character, she had resented the Governor's interference and his arbi- trary method of forcing her to assume the responsi- bility for the child's going. She suspected, of course, 167 l68 A Maid of Old Manhattan that more lay behind this mission than she had been made aware of, and that she had not been taken into the great Stuyvesant's confidence was another cause for annoyance. But, to give her due credit, it was her anxiety for Annetje's safety that lay be- hind her irritation. After she had had a moment to think It over calmly, she had regretted her deci- sion. She felt that the Governor had hurried her into granting permission, and that if more time had been given her to consider all sides of the question, her answer would have been an emphatic, " No! " Now it was too late to change. Peter Stuyvesant was not one to tolerate a weather-cock, and Annetje must go, come what might. The goodwife could only grumble as she went about her preparations for the girl's departure, and scold right and left to ease her wrought-up sensibilities. And in these preparations another cause for con- troversy was soon made evident. Annetje was for wearing a well-worn suit of doeskins, which she had persuaded Vrouw Pelgrom to let her buy long be- fore, for use upon her excursions Into the woods in search of roots and wild herbs; but at this suggestion the dame broke Into a passion. *' Wouldst have all the settlement think I was too stingy to provide thee with fitting gear? " she cried angrily. *' Hast thou no consideration for my good name that thou wouldst be willing to appear before Mevrouw Van Imbroeck dressed as a savage? What has come upon thee, that thou hast a desire to shame me before the town of Wlltwyck?" *' Nay, thou knowest I had no such thought," answered Annetje. '' The skin suit is better suited for travelling In the forest — " " Then canst thou wear it In the forest, but until thou hast arrived there thy best petticoats are none Cross Purposes 169 too good," Vrouw Pelgrom returned. " Had I the chance I would have decked thee out new from top to toe, as it is I will make shift with what we have between us, for I am not minded to let gossips clack their spiteful tongues and say I kept thee as a pau- per." She had much more to say upon this topic, but at length the preparations were all complete, and An- netje, arrayed in the best the little cottage afforded, waited to say good-bye. " And I have done naught but scold thee while my heart has been sore at thy going," cried the dame, taking the girl in her arms. " 'Tis when thou leavest me I realize how dear thou art to me. I shall not have an easy minute till thou art in my arms again. Wilt thou forgive me for a crabbed old shrew and not hold it against me? I was but cross with myself for having let thee take this peril- ous journey." " There is naught to forgive," replied Annetje, giving the dame a hearty hug and kiss. " I knew right well that 'twas thy love made thee short with me. " But I think I would not mind it so much if thou wert not so keen to leave me," the old woman sobbed as she held Annetje close to her. *' Nay," cried Annetje, '' 'tis not of myself at all that I am thinking. Were that so I would not step a foot from thy side." '' 'Tis a comfort to hear thee say that," the dame responded, heartened a little. " God keep thee and send thee back to me safe and well." With a final kiss Annetje started off toward Canoe Place, and Vrouw Pelgrom watched her until the fast gathering darkness hid the girl from her sight, then with a huge sigh the fat dame shut the door. I70 A Maid of Old Manhattan " My one consolation," she thought, " is that I have saved her from falling in love with Balthazar Stuyvesant. If naught harmful comes nigh her then shall I be consoled for my lonesomeness during her absence." The next morning Vrouw Pelgrom received two visitors. The first was the young pedlar, and as he came into the room he glanced at the table where Annetje was wont to work and, not seeing her, sup- pressed an exclamation of disappointment. " Give thee good morrow, v rouw Pelgrom," he began cheerfully, and would have gone on had not the dame cut him short. *' If you look to find your order completed you might have spared yourself the pains of coming," she snapped. " Nay, I came but on a friendly visit," he an- swered, taking no notice of her ill-humour. ** I would thank your little maid for giving me so good a guide for my journey to the North." *' And when did you return?" questioned the dame, looking up sharply. " But yester even," he replied. " Your trading was quickly accomplished," Vrouw Pelgrom remarked, her gaze still fixed upon him. *' Who told you I went to trade ? " he asked, meet- ing her glance steadily. " 'Twas but a natural supposition," she answered. " What else would have taken you among the wilden?" *' Ah, what else?" he queried, leaning back in his chair, and looking up at the dried apples fes- tooning the ceiling. He spoke as one might who was ready to discuss an abstract question. ** There seems naught likely to send a man into so dismal a country save only trade," he added. Cross Purposes 171 *' 'Twas luck for you that you got out when you did," the dame told him, after a moment's silence. " And for you, if I may say so," he agreed. ** Seeing that had I not returned you would have had a stock of fine goods left idle on your hands." *' Did you hear naught of the massacre at Wilt- wyck? " she demanded, baffled by the man's evident intendon to impart no information about himself. *' I found the town full of talk when I reached here," he answered dryly. " Be sure I know that," Vrouw Pelgrom grunted. *' But saw you nothing of it up the river? Among the wilden there must have been some signs of un- rest. I wonder you were let pass, seeing that you were with these same murderers so recently." "Is it not a wonder?" he replied blandly. *' That is, if indeed I really was among them." It was increasingly plain that the pedlar meant not to discuss his travels with the dame, and for the first time she began to have a suspicion that he was less simple than he seemed. Could it be after all, that Annetje was right when she accused him of trafficking unlawfully with the Indians? Vrouw Pelgrom could think of no other reason for reticence, and the conviction grew upon her that he might indeed be indirectly responsible for the tragedy in the Sopus and trying now to hide his guilt by discreet silence. *' Will the Meisje be back presently?" the ped- lar asked after a time, and the fat dame smiled grimly to herself. " Annetje will without doubt be back," she grunted, busy with her work. *' Aye," the man laughed, seeing the drift of her thoughts, *' but when? That is what I would know?" 172 A Maid of Old Manhattan " And I too," said Vrouw Pelgrom, looking up. " Above all things I should like to know when she will return." *' Then you do not expect her shortly? " *' How could I ? " inquired the dame, " seeing that I know not where she is." *'What!" exclaimed the man in surprise. "Is she no longer with you? " With great deliberation Vrouw Pelgrom let her eyes roam the room, then with a slow shake of her head she took up her work again. " She doesn't seem to be with me," was her reply. *' Nay, dame, let us cry quits," the pedlar laughed. '* The score is even. I shall come back again at a more favourable time," and he started for the door. *' I wonder," said Vrouw Pelgrom, imitating the other to the life, as she set her gaze upon the rafters; '' I wonder, will there be a more favourable time? " " I must e'en risk that," the man cried gaily, going on. As he was about to pass through the gate into the lane a lady entered, and he turned aside politely to make way for her. " The Governor's sister," he mused, as he took himself toward the market. " There seems to be something afoot between those High Mighty ones and the fat Vrouw. Humm ! that jumps well with my plans," and he smiled as if this thought pleased him. Vrouw Pelgrom had no time to ponder on the pedlar's visit ere a shadow crossed the door sill and Mevrouw Varleth entered. *' Nay, keep your seat," said the newcomer with a smile as her hostess made a feeble effort to rise and receive her visitor fittingly. " I will sit here," Cross Purposes 173 she went on, drawing up a chair for herself and looking about the room. " I am glad that Annetje is away, for I have news for thy ears alone." " I hope it is good news, your Mightiness," Vrouw Pelgrom returned solemnly. " 'Tis most excellent," Mevrouw Varleth an- swered, seemingly in the best of humours. " I have been playing the part of fate and I think we may rest easy in our minds in regard to the matter we spoke of when last I was here." " Indeed, your Mightiness, I am glad to hear that," Vrouw Pelgrom said, fervently. " The more I ponder the possible outcome the more I feared for it. Old Jettje's prophecy would stick in my mind though I am no more superstitious than most." " Aye, and to be frank that same prophecy stuck in my mind, too. So at some risk I determined to thwart it for the sake of all involved," Mevrouw Varleth went on. *^ Balthazar is away and will be gone long enough to nip this friendship with Annetje in the bud, or I am much mistaken. But to be quite safe I will have that trip to the Indies ready against his return." " I would that I had known that last night," Vrouw Pelgrom said feelingly. " I have brought you word as soon as I was able," Mevrouw Varleth explained. " The boy wanted to go, but feared his father's refusal to consent; so I urged him to leave without it and promised to stand between him and a rating. I have seen the Governor and I think he was pleased at his son's spirit, though he blustered enough for two." " Where has the young Mynheer gone, if I may ask?" Vrouw Pelgrom questioned. " Up the river to Wiltwyck," Mevrouw Varleth replied. 174 A Maid of Old Manhattan " To Wiltwyck I " exclaimed Vrouw Pelgrom dis- mayed. " I heard not that he was one of the party." '* Nay, it was somewhat secret," Mevrouw Var- leth continued, misinterpreting the other's surprise. " He went to Spuyten Duyvel by horse and joined the expedition there. None knew of his going until all chance to stop him was past. As I said there is some risk, yet is it worth taking, seeing that he will enjoy the adventure and at the same time forget this girl of yours for whom he has such a fancy. So I urged it upon him when he came to me for advice as he often does. Think you not that I have done a good stroke to spoil that prophecy? " '* Ah, Mightiness," Vrouw Pelgrom answered, *' I, too, have been playing at fate. I sent Annetje upon a mission, thinking thus to break off the grow- ing intimacy between her and the young Heer. I inquired diligently if he had gone and received word that he was not of the party. See, Mevrouw, how little worth are our plannlngs and plottlngs when the events are forecast by destiny. Annetje, too, has gone to the Sopus." '' The Sopus I " repeated Mevrouw Varleth in amazement. "To Wiltwyck? How came it that a maid has gone on such a journey? " " By the wish of his High Mightiness, the Di- rector General, no less! " Vrouw Pelgrom explained. *' He came last night, asking that she be sent to Mevrouw Van Imbroeck as an interpreter. His request put it into my head that the power which rules our lives was showing me a way out of our dilemma. Alas I We have been but the blind in- struments of Fate." " There are you right, Vrouw Pelgrom," Mev- rouw Varleth agreed soberly. " I am ceasing to doubt that old crone's prophecy, for of one thing am Cross Purposes 175 I certain. Those two will be more than friends when they return." For a time the two women faced each other In silence, thinking deeply, and a little later Mevrouw Varleth took her leave while Vrouw Pelgrom con- tinued to sit before her mortar with idle hands. CHAPTER XX THE START ANNETJE reached Wiltwyck without untoward i\ incident and found all there a-bustle with X ^ preparations for the expedition against the Indians. In spite of Vrouw Luyck, the clack of whose tongue none could stay, and who did naught but lament the comforts she was leaving behind, the girl's mind had been busy throughout the journey with thoughts of how she was to accomplish her difficult mission and bring about that peace which was so dear to her heart. But her first sight of the little town, or rather what remained of It, shook her faith in finding a real solution of her problem. A scene of black desolation met her eye on every hand. Heaps of smouldering ashes marked the sites of once happy and prosperous homes. No one left in the colony but mourned a dear one dead or a prisoner. Here was no place to find calm thought and deliberation. She had scarce set foot upon the land when she realized that all the feverish stir about her had for the mainspring of Its activities the desire to be avenged upon those who had wrought so dire a calamity. Her courage faltered as the great task she had set herself was revealed In Its true propor- tions. "Oh, how could they have done It?" she mur- mured to herself, sorrowfully, for an Instant in doubt whether indeed it was possible for the whites to be friends with a people capable of such deeds. Then 176 The Start 177 like a flood of sunlight there came the happy mem- ories of the years she had spent among these same Indians and the gentle care she had received at their hands. *' Surely a way can be found," she thought; " they are not so cruel as they seem." She sought out Mevrouw Van Imbroeck at once, who complimented her upon her courage and was rejoiced that she was to have a companion upon her journey into the wilderness. " I had given up hope of finding a woman to accompany me," she explained. " All of those who were not taken are in a dreadful state of fright. I am right glad you have come — and none too soon, for the party sets off at tomorrow's dawn." And then Mevrouw Van Imbroeck went on to voice the bitter wrath that filled her heart. In truth she had seen most terrible things and her experience had been enough to have shattered the stoutest nerves, but Annetje was not prepared for so violent a hatred. There was no sympathy for the wrongs the savages had endured, no faith in their honour. She vowed an implacable vengeance and burned to see the In- dians suffer as they had made her and her friends suffer. She could find no good in them, and longed for the time when she should march at the head of the expedition that was to inflict ten-fold the misery she had endured. Mevrouw Van Imbroeck placed a tiny chamber at Annetje's disposal, but all the while showed her own impatience to be gone. Indeed she soon went off to urge the men to hasten their tasks of preparation, stopping at each group of workers to fire their anger anew with her hot demands for revenge. Surely no two people could have had more conflicting motive than these two who were destined to be companions on this hunt for the Indians. 178 A Maid of Old Manhattan The girl kept silent, seeing that it would be worse than useless to try to combat the intense resentment that was shared by all. Indeed she was glad when Mevrouw Van Imbroeck left her to herself. She walked a little way outside the town, having a strong desire to escape the scene of devastation, and sought the cool calm of the woods. A sense of great lone- liness overcame her. Of all the company that was to start out on the morning she could not count on one who would have the least sympathy with her, nor would one voice be lifted in defence of a wiser policy than that of ruthless retaliation. The re- sponsibility of her position began to weigh heavily upon her, and she longed for a friend with whom she could talk freely and who v/ould be at hand to advise her in case of need. Almost at the moment when that longing had entered her mind she was brought to a stand by a sharp command to halt, and startled, she looked up into the face of Balthazar Stuyvesant. They recog- nized each other at the same instant but the young man was the first to recover from his surprise. " Now of all people in the world you are the last I expected to see," he cried, grounding the musket he carried. " I had just been wondering what you might be doing in NIeuw Amsterdam and you appear like a vision in a dream. Can you speak or am I sleeping? " Annetje laughed gaily, unreservedly glad to see him, for here was one who might understand what was in her heart. ** I can ask questions, you'll find," she answered. *' What are you doing here? " " I am posted to guard the town," he replied. ** 'Tis not that we expect a new attack but 'tis best to run no risks." The Start 179 *' Nay, 'tis not that I mean,'* said Annetje. "What are you doing in the Sopus? I knew not that you had joined the expedition." " No more did many another," he replied with a chuckle. *' Least of all my father till I was well out of his path. I met the party up the river and left Aunt Anna to make my peace with the family. But what are you doing here? That is much more of a mystery." " I am to go with Mevrouw Van Imbroeck," she answered, and then went on to tell him the circum- stances of her coming, saying naught, however, of her understanding with his father. *' I like not your being on this adventure," he said rather soberly when she had finished. " 'Tis scarce a cordial welcome you give me," Annetje retorted laughingly. " I shall try not to bother your High Mightiness." " Nay, be not touchy," he returned, in no wise minded to make a joke of it. " This expedition is no junket. There will be danger — more I think than our leaders reckon upon — and I would not have thee harmed." He used the intimate pro- noun unconsciously and neither of them noticed it. *' I have no fear for myself," Annetje answered soberly, seeing that he was in earnest. *' Whatever else they may be, the Indians are my friends. I have had good proof of that for many years." " Aye, but in the heat of battle the wilden will be little like to pick and choose their victims," he argued. '* I would have been better satisfied had my father hit upon some other to accompany Mev- rouw Van Imbroeck." They talked a little longer and then Annetje, noting that the shadows had begun to lengthen, i8o A Maid of Old Manhattan thought it best to return to the house where she was to lodge. " Good-bye till tomorrow," she said. " You may be sorry that I am going but I am glad. Per- chance you will be, too, before we return," she added, feeling that he would be just in his judgment of the Indians and would rejoice if an opportunity offered to carry out some plan of pacification. " I can see no reason to be glad," he answered earnestly, " for even though you come back safely yet I cannot believe that aught is to be gained by the risk." *' 'Tis too late now to change it even if I would," Annetje returned, as she started away. " Aye," he agreed, " and at least I shall be at hand to do all that I can to keep you safe." Annetje returned from the woods with a lighter heart than she had carried when she went out. She counted Balthazar a friend and if need be, a confi- dant to whom she might go for advice. She felt much less alone among these busy people who thought only of the heavy blow they meant to inflict upon the savages, and she went to sleep, heartened in her undertaking and hopeful of success, though she admitted to herself she saw no clear road to its accomplishment as yet. Annetje was up and ready ere the sun arose. Her Dutch clothes she left hanging, dressing herself in the suit of doeskins she had brought with her. She looked not unlike an Indian maiden as she set forth in the grey light of the dawn, and Mevrouw Van Imbroeck frowned when she joined the waiting company. " Such garments are far from pleasing to my eyes," the elder woman remarked, she herself being clad as might a lady who was to spend the day at J The Start i8i her household tasks. " I hate all that reminds me of these savage Mohickanders." *' Then must you hate the trees in the forest where live the Indians," Annetje rephed. " I have no love for them," was the bitter re- sponse. " I go not into the woods for pleasure, nor would you an you had suffered as I have." " For that I am sorry," said Annetje, sincerely. *' Yet do I think a leathern suit best fitted for this undertaking." Her tone was firm, her manner that of one determined upon her course, who was not minded to alter it, and Mevrouw Van Imbroeck looked fixedly at the sHm girl, a little perplexed by her bearing. " It is too late to change it now," she said crustily, and turned away just as the signal was given for their departure. It was not until they had been upon the march well above two hours that Balthazar joined Annetje and the first of the many happy talks they were to have together began. The girl's spirits rose as they penetrated into the wooded wilderness and wholly forgotten bits of forest lore, learned from her foster parents, came crowding back to memory. These she imparted to Balthazar, talking of them as if they were discoveries made in common and interest- ing him until he wellnigh forgot the grim errand they had come upon. The days were long and their journeying tedious, for the whole company must move at the pace of the slowest, and though Balthazar took his turn of duty in the van, there were many hours during which he could trudge at the girl's side and watch with delight her graceful figure moving through the for- est. Unconsciously they grew to call each other by their first names and used the " thee " and 1 82 A Maid of Old Manhattan *' thou " of equals without thought. They talked of many things, but Annetje was always anxious to tell him of the Indians as she remembered them, recount- ing acts of kindness she had received at their hands and showing him a side of their character quite new^ to his experience. " Think how good they were to me," she said once, ending a tale of her childhood. *' I cannot see how they could be aught but good to thee, Annetje," he answered, and had his aunt Anna Varleth been within hearing her growing faith in a certain prophecy would have become even more assured than was Vrouw Pelgrom's. CHAPTER XXI THE WAR DRUMS THE leaders of the expedition had reckoned three days' travel as necessary before they would reach the destination toward which Mevrouw Van Imbroeck was leading them. This was a stronghold, or castle, as the redskins called it, set deep in the forest where no track led. Their way was difficult and slow. For so large a com- pany much food had to be carried, and rocks, fallen trees and heavy undergrowth barred their progress at every step. Two or three hunters might have made the journey in half the time and Mevrouw Van Imbroeck afoot, travelling night and day on her escape, had spent scarce more than forty-eight hours upon the homeward flight. But now a more deliberate pace was needful if they were to arrive prepared to fight. Upon the third day a most oppressive heat made the march still more difficult. The air seemed parched and hard to breathe. No leaf stirred in the trees and the birds, their bills a-gape, sought shade, silent even at the hour of the setting sun. So exhausting was the weather that early in the afternoon it was deemed advisable to halt and rest against the expected battle on the morrow, for the stronghold was judged now to be but an hour's tramp away, and it was planned to start again ere sunrise and surprise the savages in their castle. But so far there had been no sign of any red- skins. Men well versed in all the secrets of the 183 1 84 A Maid of Old Manhattan woods sought diligently for evidences of their pres- ence in the neighbourhood, but without result. The advance guard, creeping forward with great caution, reported the way clear, and there was a growing con- viction that the Indians, having word of their com- ing, had gone still further north and that many more days of weary plodding through this trackless forest would be needed before the wilden were over- taken. So certain were the leaders of this that they grew careless of their precautions against surprise and gave up to the heat that was nigh prostrating the hardiest of them. But of this reasoning Annetje had grave doubts, though she held her peace, seeing that to differ with those who led the party laid her open to ridicule, as she had no sure proof to show. Yet she could not rid herself of the conviction that the Indians were near them. She had a sense of their presence, a feeling that she was being watched. To further convince her of this, she had found each day a white blossom plucked from its stem and near no tree upon which it had grown. How it came upon the path on which she trod An- netje could only surmise; but for her It had an un- mistakable message. Yet was this little pale flower scant evidence upon which to question the judgment of the leaders, so she said naught of the matter. At no time had the girl ceased to dwell upon the purpose that had sent her upon this adventure, and she would have rejoiced could she have convinced herself that the Indians had fled northward. Her only plan to bring about the peace she hoped for was to put off the battle as long as possible, and to this end she was determined to steal off alone and make her plea to the Sachem, if, as she thought, he was near. The War Drums 185 After the company had halted Annetje made Mevrouw Van Imbroeck as comfortable as she could in the small tent they shared together. There was little she could do, for the older woman was nigh prostrated by fatigue and exhausted nerves. But the fire of vengeance still burned in her fierce eyes and the girl left her, wondering if indeed her suf- fering had not caused some malady of the brain. For her own part Annetje felt no great fatigue. The heat seemed to give her a restless desire to keep moving rather than to drop down in her tracks as had most of the other members of the party. Leav- ing the camp she wandered on and coming to a brook bathed her head and hands in its cool waters. As she straightened up, Balthazar joined her and at his remonstrance that it was better for her not to stray farther into the woods alone, she sat down on the bank of a stream. She was not surprised that he had kept an eye upon her and followed her. Indeed she thought little of the matter, for in those long days they had spent together in the forest their friendship had ripened quickly and she had come to take many things for granted. '' We are near to the end of our march, Annetje," he said soberly, seating himself at her side. " What- ever happens tomorrow Mevrouw Van Imbroeck will return and thou with her." *' Thinkest thou the wilden have fled, Balthazar? " she asked. *' 'Tis the conviction of those who should know,'* he answered. " I am not skilled in this woodcraft. Thou hast more knowledge of it than I. What is thy belief?" *' That they have followed us for many hours, perhaps days," she repHed. " I am certain they know we are here and exactly what our strength is." 1 86 A Maid of Old Manhattan " In that case there will be a battle tomorrow/' he said, a look of anxiety coming into his face. " I would that thou wert a good day's march from here. I'm none too sure of the outcome." '' But I am here to stop the battle if I can, Bal- thazar," she answered. " It is not war that will win the Indians' friendship." " Yet must there be punishment, Annetje," Bal- thazar replied. " Aye," she agreed, " those who have done wrong should be punished — and they will be. But if those without fault are slain then must their sons and brothers wipe out that blood debt else will the dead have no rest and the living never dare to call them- selves braves. Thus one killing leads to another and there is no peace." *' Unless we make the wilden fear us," Balthazar insisted, " no colony will be safe from their murder- ous attacks. I would be for peace if a way could be found." " I mean to find a way I " Annetje exclaimed. "What hast thou in thy mind?" he demanded, surprised at her vehemence. " O Balthazar," she answered, almost carried away by the intensity of her feeling, *' if these two enemies can be kept apart until their hot blood cools then might the chieftains parley with his High Mightiness, thy father." *' But it is too late for that," Balthazar objected. *' Naught can stop the whites now. And, if as thou believest, the Indians are near, the fight is bound to come. I do not see how it can be avoided." " The wilden will listen to me," Annetje explained, *' if I go to them and say that the Great White Chief—" The War Drums 187 "But how canst thou go to them?" Balthazar interrupted. Annetje opened her lips to answer, but as she did there came a dull throbbing In the air like the beat of an overburdened heart. It was not loud, and to the unknowing might have been mistaken for the faint rumble of very distant thunder; but to Annetje it brought a message that blanched her cheek. '* What is it?" asked Balthazar, noting the change in the girl's face. For a moment or two she did not reply, but held herself rigid, every faculty upon the alert, listening to the rise and fall of the vague sound that had awakened almost forgotten memories of the past. "What is it?" Balthazar repeated. *' 'Tis the war drums," she whispered. " The wilden are dancing before the battle. They are there, Balthazar," she cried, pointing to the north. " They are making ready, and I must go at once, else my coming will be vain." She pressed her hand to her breast to feel If the Governor's seal was still there, and leaping across the brook, started running in the direction of the sound. Balthazar, with an exclamation of surprise, ran after her and grasped her by the arm. *' Where art thou going, Annetje?" he asked in blank amazement. " Let me go," she protested, struggling. '' I fear I am too late already. Please let me go." " Nay, I shall do no such thing," he answered roundly. " Dost think I will see thee seek certain death and not raise a hand to stop thee? '* *' 'Tis not I that am in danger but the rest of our party," she burst out. " 'Tis a certainty, Bal- thazar, that the Indians know of our coming and 1 88 A Maid of Old Manhattan are preparing to fight us. I doubt not we are sur- rounded this very minute, and that they but await the darkness to fall upon us while we sleep. Go back and warn Martin Cregier, else may there be none left alive tomorrow to tell the tale of this ex- pedition." " It cannot be,'^ Balthazar protested. " Surely our men would have known." *' Dost think the white man can outwit the Indian In the woods? " she answered. " Is the pupil better than the teacher? Nay, I tell thee the party is in deadly danger. The beating of the drums shows that. 'Tis certain they outnumber us ten to one, or never wcruld they attack. Go back, Balthazar, and stay me not, for unless I reach them In time, naught can save you and the others." Again she struggled, but he held her fast. '* Whatever comes I cannot let thee go," he in- sisted. " I have no faith that the wilden will spare thee. If aught happened to thee how could I ever hold up my head again? " " 'Tis not of ourselves we must think," Annetje cried impatiently. *' I must do my utmost. Al- ready I fear I am too late." " Nay then, an thou must have thy way I will go with thee," Balthazar declared and started on. " And who Is to warn the others? " she protested. *' No, no! I must go alone. Every moment of delay makes the calamity more certain. Listen," she went on, seeing that he showed no sign of relin- quishing his purpose. " Thy father knows my in- tention and I am here somewhat In his stead. I have his authority to promise the wilden that he will not pursue them if this expedition is allowed to come to naught. I cannot tell thee all the reasons, there is not time — but he wished me to come and gave The War Drums 189 me this to show the Indians as a sign from him." She fumbled in her dress and pulled out the red seal, holding it out before him. Balthazar gazed at it for a moment and his face grew stern. *' Very well," he answered. *' Go thy way," and without another word, turned on his heel and ran back toward the camp. So sudden was his action that Annetje stood still for an instant, surprised into immobility; then re- membering, she set off in the opposite direction at top speed. CHAPTER XXII THE GREAT SEAL ANNETJE ran blindly In the direction from /A whence came the muffled beat of the war- •^ -^ drums unmindful of the rocks and rotted tree trunks over which she stumbled. One thought alone possessed her. She must reach the Indians In time, else would another massacre occur, and then naught could stop the bitter struggle that would ensue until the wilden were exterminated. She knew that In the end the whites, with their superior weapons, must win, and her anxiety was mainly for her red brothers. Yet was she also aware that a grim menace threatened Martin Cregler and his party, who were like to be the first sacrifice unless her mission was accomplished. Strangely enough she did not doubt her ability to convince the Indians that for their own sakes they must abandon their purpose. How this conviction had been arrived at she could not have told, but It was strong within her and for the moment she felt herself nearer akin to her red brothers than to those of her own blood. These days in the woods had seemed to strip off the years she had lived with the Dutch and to bring back the simple Instincts that had guided her when, as a little child, she had roamed the forest as happy and care-free as the other wild creatures that Inhabited it. On she ran, until of a sudden she was aware that beside her was a savage, hideously striped with yel- 190 The Great Seal 191 low and black warpaint, his tomahawk in his hand and a fierce fire burning in his eyes. Annetje stopped for a moment to regain her breath, and the red man halted beside her. *' Our White Blossom has come back to the tribe. Good I" the Indian grunted. *' Now may the ar- row be loosed. We but waited till the little princess, seeing our warnings by the way, took note of them and turned her back upon the paleface warriors. Woe unto them when the hatchet gleams in the moonlight, and the hunting-knife is stripped of its sheath! The doom of the palefaces is upon them. Already are they as dead men! " His voice boomed in the stillness between the great tree-trunks, and Annetje shuddered as she watched his face glow with the eager light of coming battle. " Thy white princess, O red brother, would be led at once to the presence of the Sachem, her father," Annetje commanded. *' Show quickly the shortest path and be swift, for I have that for the Sachem's ear which must be told without delay.'* " Good! " the Indian answered, and without fur- ther words went ahead at a rapid stride. Annetje followed, half running to keep up, so swift was the pace he set. They twisted In and out among the trees and rocks, avoiding here a swamp and there a mass of matted vines, the redskin seeming to find a level, open path in the trackless wilderness of tall trunks and sturdy saplings. The dull beating of the war drums grew in volume as they went on, and, faintly, above the noise of them, Annetje could hear the animal-like cries of the Indians as they danced about the fire, working themselves into a fine frenzy of desperate recklessness against the coming battle. 192 A Maid of Old Manhattan Ere long they reached the stronghold, and An- netje stood for a moment, panting from her swift march, marvelling at the strength of this barrier set in the depths of the forest. She could not guess its size, but to the right and to the left of her ran a high barricade of hewn trees held together by tough vines, and here and there buttressed by heavy logs. Each paling of the fence was sharpened to a fine point at the top and below at the height of a man's heart, spiked boughs of thorny bushes barred the way. This was the Indian castle, and at the entrance two painted braves kept watch. " The white princess has come, O brothers," the savage announced, indicating the girl at his side. " Word has gone forth that she be admitted to the Sachem." With impassive faces the two guards stepped aside and Annetje entered the enclosure. Some dis- tance away among the trees still standing within the stockade, she saw the pale flames of the council fire and caught a glimpse of the leaping warriors at their dance of death. The din of the drums and hoarse cries of half-crazed men drowned all other sounds, and swelled at times to a deafening roar that seemed to dull the senses by Its clamour. A great lodge stood nigh the entrance, and to this Annetje was led. A mat hung before the door and Annetje expected that her companion would lead the way. But he stood aside, motioning her to go on alone. " The Sachem is within, O white sister," he said. " He but awaits his daughter's coming to give the signal.'* She drew a long breath of relief. She was In time, and with her head held high, as was befitting " 'I'hou art here at last, oh my white daughter " The Great Seal 193 one whom they called a princess, she pushed aside the hanging mat and entered. Inside, the half light revealed another doorway at right angles, before which two more sentinels stood like sculptured figures, one upon each side. They stirred not, and Annetje moved forward de- liberately and pushed aside a second mat. Here again was another chamber similarly guarded and not until she had passed this did she come at last into the main room of the chief's lodge. At first she thought that the place was empty, but as she stepped forward a tall figure rose to its full height from a pile of soft skins in a far corner. The chief was arrayed for a battle, his great war- bonnet upon his head, but as yet his face bore no painted stripes of black and yellow. Annetje stopped, and as she looked at him the old memories of her childhood crowded in upon her. In a flash the mission that had brought her there was forgotten. Gone were the years since she had left the council-fire at the side of Jan Virrhage. Once more she was in the presence of that foster father who had cared for her, and the love she had borne him welled up in her heart like a flood. But the teachings of those other days returned with these tender recollections and like the Indian warrior before her she hid her feelings, standing stiff and straight in front of him. For a time they gazed into each other's eyes in silence, but Annetje could see the stern face of the man soften a little and she knew and was glad that her coming had touched him. " Thou art here at last, O my white daughter,'* the Sachem said, his voice scarce hiding the emotion he felt. " For many moons we have looked for thee in vain. Our hope has waxed and waned as 194 A Maid of Old Manhattan the blossom-time followed the snow and frost. Our eyes have grown weary watching for thy return and the heart of thy Indian mother has ached for a sight of thee. Are we forgotten? Do the pale- faces hold all thy love? Are the memories of thy tender years all blank to thee, my daughter?" " Nay! Nay I " Annetje answered, struggling to keep back the tears. " Never have I forgotten thee, my father. Of my mother I scarce can speak. 1 have not lost remembrance of our wigwam and need but to close my eyes to see the flicker of the family fire at which we gathered on the winter nights. I still can hear thee recounting tales of the mighty hunt, while I pressed against thy side, trembling in fancied fear, yet proud that none could equal thee In cunning of the chase. Nay, nay, O my father, the heart of thy white daughter has ever been full of love for thee, and on my knees have I prayed to the Great Spirit to have thee ever in his care." " 'Tis well, O my daughter." The Sachem's words filled the room with tones of deep satisfaction. " That thou must remain with thine own people I knew when I let thee go. But hast thou never a desire to live again in the free forest? " " Aye, when the blossom-time draws near and the birds come singing from the south," Annetje replied. *' 'Tis then a great longing seizes me and I must hold myself lest I run away from my duties to breath new air in the woods. O my father, though my blood Is white yet am I nearer kin to thee and my red brothers than to the Dutch with whom I dwell." ** And now these palefaces have come to kill thy red brothers," the Sachem said, his voice growing hard and threatening. *' As the snows melt before the sun of summer so shall these palefaces disappear The Great Seal 195 from our land/' he went on lifting his head proudly. " Tomorrow shall see them no more, for they He in the hollow of our hands. Since three dawns the braves have watched them, while they thought them- selves hidden. They have moved forward, fright- ening the very squirrels before them. So heavy is their tread that the deer flees at their approach; yet do they flatter themselves that the red man Is deaf — and blind I We have but waited for thee to leave them, O my daughter. Now shall we strike and there will be none left to carry the tale." He ended with a sweeping gesture of his right arm as if to wipe away the last vestige of his enemy. ^* And after that, O my father?" Annetje mur- mured, suddenly brought back to the cause of her being there. " Think you the palefaces will not send other men against you? Shall not the great ships with white sails bring others to be thy enemies? In their far cities they are as many as the ants in their hills. After these will come still others, if it Is need- ful. Think, O my father, what is to be the end? " '* Nay, my daughter, the time has passed for thinking," the Sachem answered. *' I go to paint my face, and when that is done thy white companions shall die! " He made a movement as If to leave her, but Annetje held up her hand. "Not yet! Not yet! O my father!" the girl cried. " 'TIs to save thee that I am here. If the red men and the white are ever to be brothers this battle must not take place." The tall Indian lifted up his hand for silence, but Annetje shook her head and went on. " Nay, listen, O my father. 'TIs thy daughter who speaks out of a heart that has never forgotten the debt she owes thee and the tribe that watched over her from babyhood. I tell thee that if the 196 A Maid of Old Manhattan braves are loosed upon that company of palefaces naught will stay the Great White Chief until thou and all thy tribe are dead." '' What knowest thou of the Great White Chief ? " demanded the Sachem, impressed by her earnestness. " I know what is in his thought about this matter, my father," Annetje answered. " He would be friends with all the red men." "Nay, nay! " cried the Sachem. "That talk is like the babbling of the swollen stream. His people kill us when they are so minded and laugh when we ask that the blood debt be paid. The palefaces steal our lands. Our hunting grounds are turned into ploughed fields. The red man is being driven out of the home of his fathers. We have been op- pressed until we must strike or die. This time the blow shall be hard, O daughter! " " Nay, I tell thee the Great White Chief would have speech with thee, to the end that this killing cease! " exclaimed Annetje. " Listen, O my father, 1 am here in his stead. Out of my mouth the Great White Chief speaks to thee. Wilt thou not hear what he is minded to say? " For an instant the Sachem hesitated, then shook his head, laughing scornfully. " I know not what is in my daughter's thoughts," he said, " but how can I believe that the Great White Chief has sent a child to talk to me? " *' By this sign," answered Annetje, and drew the red seal out of her bosom, holding it toward him in her hand. CHAPTER XXIII HER WHITE MANITOU THE Sachem gazed for a full minute at the disk of wax held out toward him on the palm of Annetje's hand. Then he straightened to his full height. *' It is a sign," he said. " What would the Great Chief tell the Sachem through the lips of his daugh- ter?'^ " That blood cannot be washed out with blood, O my father," Annetje answered, then breathlessly she told him of her talk with Peter Stuyvesant and of his willingness to go as far as he could to make the punishment for the Wiltwyck massacre a light one. That, given time, a parley could be arranged and the fighting expedition recalled. " He but asks that the hot heads on both sides be given a chance to cool," Annetje went on. *' As thy braves think naught of the future, so it is with these palefaces. They answer one kiUing with an- other, and the innocent suffer with the guilty. Let us have no battle, O my father. Give back the prisoners, then will the hour come when thou and the other great chief can talk together and, as wise men, mark a broad path on which thy people and his may walk side by side. I have read the heart of the Great White Chief, and I know that he will give the red man justice. Stay thy hand now and the day will soon come when the hatchet will be buried deep; but if the arrow is loosed from the 197 198 A Maid of Old Manhattan bow and the scalping-knife torn from its sheath, then must the war go on. And in the end thy peo- ple, O my father, will be a tribe no longer, but scat- tered wanderers upon the land with no hunting ground to call their own I Think well, O my father. Thy daughter speaks out of love for thee, who sheltered her when she was a helpless babe.'^ For a long time there was silence in the great lodge as the Sachem, bowed in thought, considered the matter. From outside came the booming of the drums and the fierce cries of the warriors still dancing about the fires. Annetje watched for some change in the stern face by which she might read the outcome; but there was no hint of it in that impassive countenance. At last he lifted his head and spoke. " There is much wisdom in thy words, O my daughter," he began. *' Fault has there been upon both sides, but as the Great White Chief has not the power to stay the hot heads of his people, so am I without the might to hold back the hand of the red man. I would fain have stopped this mas- sacre, but the palefaces, for their own ends, ply the young warriors with fire-water till naught can control them. So now is the die cast! This com- pany that has come against my people have been tricked to their death. Thinkest thou, O my daugh- ter, that a paleface squaw could escape us in the forest an we wished to hold her? Nay, we laughed at her going, knowing that those she sent would be led into a trap. Should the Indians not spring that trap now that their enemies are within it? Would thy paleface brothers spare us? Speak, O my daughter." " Nay, I think that the palefaces would not spare thee, O my father," Annetje answered. " There is Her White Manitou 199 no difference between the white man and the red when their anger is stirred. But if the leaders have no more wisdom than their warriors why then should they be Sachems? This I tell thee, O my father, the Great White Chief, were he the dweller in thy wigwam, would say to himself that from one sun's rising to another is but a moment in the years; that from moon to moon is but a little day in the life of the tribe; that any can see those things that are near to them; but that out of many men there are few whose sight is like the eagle's. The White Chief would forget the past, O my father. The present he would have foreseen, and his gaze would be set upon the future. He would not strive to shake the fruit from a branch because it was in easy reach without looking for the thorns that might poison his hand when it was too late to loose his hold. Such is my answer, O my father. It needs not thy wisdom to make this parable plain." Again there was a long silence and once more Annetje listened anxiously to the throbbing war drums and the menacing cries without. That the Sachem had hinted that he was of her way of think- ing, gave her a basis for hope, but she knew well enough that the tribe were in no mood to hear reason and that each minute Increased their frenzy. It would be no light matter to gain their consent to give up the triumph they had planned. Annetje feared the outcome. The confidence she had felt that all would be well if she could but have speech with the Sachem In time, had vanished. She thought of the white expedition, secure In their Ignorance of the true situation, and trembled lest her feeble words should avail naught. Suddenly the Sachem raised his hand and pointed toward the door of an inner room. 200 A Maid of Old Manhattan '* One waits thee there, O my daughter," he said. *' I go to the council fire." "But — but — ," Annetje could not frame the question, yet the savage understood. *' The Sachem is not ready to paint his face," he answered, and strode out of the lodge. At least the signal for war would not be given at once, and Annetje breathed a sigh of relief. A moment later the drums ceased their beating, and the girl moved toward the mat hanging motionless on the far side of the chamber, knowing well whom she would find upon the other side. As she raised it a low cry of joy filled her ears, and the newly awakened love in her heart went out to the figure standing with outstretched arms just within the threshold. " Annet! My little Annet! " came the crooning call, and the next moment the girl was in the arms of the Indian woman who had cherished her as her own. "My mother! O my mother!" Annetje an- swered, and the tears fell fast as the two clasped each other In a silent embrace. Presently the woman dried her eyes and holding the girl before her looked at her long and lovingly. " Tall hast thou grown and like the lily, O my daughter," she murmured, a smile of pride coming Into her wrinkled brown face. " Those who guarded thee, have told that thou wert a maid fair to look upon, but I longed to see thee with these two eyes. Thou wert but the height of a low bush when we were left to mourn. Now thou art like the young poplar tree, smooth and straight. 'Tis good to see thee, O my daughter." " I longed for thee, my mother," Annetje said. Her White Manltou 201 " I would have come to thee but that I had my duties and my place was there." " I know," agreed the squaw. " The Sachem wondered if I still loved thee and there was a hint of blame in his voice," Annetje went on. " I could not come before and even now I must go back. But always hast thou a place deep in my heart and never do I forget thee. Thou knowest? " " The Sachem is a man," the woman answered. *' 'Tis only given to them to comprehend that which they may see or hear or touch. With us is It dif- ferent. I needed not that thou shouldst say ' I love thee.' I had but to close my eyes to feel thy tiny arms about my neck and even though thou wert a moon's journey from me, yet could I hear thee speak sweet words into my ear. I have had a great de- sire to hold thee close once more. To see thee with my eyes. To hear thy voice again. But, O my daughter, there is that between thee and me which no words can express." They talked thus for a time, seated upon a pile of skins and now and then patting each other's hands to show their affection. ** Tell me, my mother," said Annetje, '' why didst thou call me Annet? It is no Indian name." ** Thus didst thou call thyself," was the answer. *' We tried to charm thee with others of our tongue, but it was as If thou didst not hear. It must have been thy name In that life before we found thee." ** Aye, that must be it," replied Annetje thought- fully. '* But, O my mother, I would know more of that life. How came I to thee? Who brought me to thy wigwam? " " None brought thee, my daughter. The Great 202 A Maid of Old Manhattan Spirit led me to where thou wert hidden," answered tne Indian woman reverently. " Tell me more, my mother," Annetje begged. " I would learn from whence I came." '^ Ah, that I know not," was the answer, and when Annetje would have spoken, the squaw held up her hand for silence. '' Listen," she went on, her voice dropping to a low murmur, " in that time when the blood of youth ran swiftly through my veins and I held my head proudly as a princess of the tribe, the Sachem and thy mother were united and the Great Spirit gave us a papoose. Then was the heart of the Sachem made glad and thy mother lifted up her voice in thankfulness, vowing that her life would but serve her babe till it grew to be a warrior. But alas, where is the man who can gaze into the future? We had scarce had our treasure the time of two moons when the Great Spirit called it home. How I had offended I know not, and so sad was my heart that I was like to have gone after it. But on the day we left the little body, hidden beside the path in the deep forest, and with faltering steps were taking our journey back to the village, we heard a low, faint cry scarce louder than the weak whine of a fox cub. The Sachem said it was an animal dying in the thicket, but I stopped, for the sound of it gripped my heart. ' Nay, 'tis a human cry,' I told him, and we halted, listening. Again came the feeble wail, so that we set to searching and in a moment stumbled upon a woman, dead. On her bosom wert thou, nigh to the end of thy little life from starvation. I was quick to lift thee up and feed thee, and as I held thee in my arms the Great Spirit whispered in my ear that here was one to take the place of the babe I had lost. Thus thou didst come to me, my daughter, and grew to be the Her White Manitou 203 precious treasure of our tribe, for 'twas said among us that one who could live while the strong woman who carried thee died, must indeed be destined for great things and not altogether of this world." "And that woman who died?" asked Annetje, half fearfully. " Was she my real mother? " " Nay, she was such an one as I have never seen," said the Indian. " She was not of any tribe we know nor was she a paleface. Her skin was black." *' Black I" cried Annetje. *' Was she then a slave?" " Naught more can I tell thee," was the answer. " Her lire had fled, and there was naught upon her to tell from whence she came or whither she was going." "And was there no mark upon me? No chain nor ring?" Annetje asked anxiously. " Thy little garments were in rags," the squaw explained. " Thorn and briars had torn them into shreds and thy little dress, pale as a blossom, was soiled. One thing only did I find and that but a piece of needlework upon a tiny shirt worn under- neath thy jacket. To my thinking it was a sign that went with thee, and so I worked it upon all thy skin suits, hiding it somewhat among the beads for it was in no manner like work of our tribe and thy father might not have been pleased to be reminded that thou wert of another race. In a little we stained thy face richly, meaning to keep thee for all thy life and ours, but it was not to be, my daughter, and when men came hunting for their treasure we knew it was thou they sought and, for the love we bore thee, gave thee up." For a moment or two Annetje was thoughtful, pondering over the story she had just heard, then she spoke most seriously. 204 A Maid of Old Manhattan '' Listen, O my mother. Thy daughter loves thee and always will, but she would know who were her real parents and what her rightful name? To what country she belongs and who are her people? Canst thou not think now of something thou hast forgotten that may show the trail? " " Nay," the squaw answered, " thy Indian mother can tell thee naught more. 'Tis the word I sent thee by the paleface who but lately came to us from thee." '' Came from me? " Annetje repeated, not under- standing. " No paleface came from me, O my mother." " Nay, my daughter has forgotten," Insisted the Indian woman. " Didst thou not call a brave who guarded thee and command that he should lead one to us? The paleface came, saying that he was sent upon a mission from thee, and we received him." "The pedlar!" exclaimed Annetje. "Said he that I sent him? " " He did, my daughter," was the answer. "And what wanted he?" Annetje demanded. " This story I have just told thee," the squaw replied. " He would know from whence thou camest; what marks were upon thee; all the circum- stances of our finding thee and plagued me with a thousand questions. Had he not spoken In thy name I think he would not have returned to the village of the palefaces, for the tribe was angry and nigh upon the war-path. But I could tell him naught save that from the rags of thy garments I had cut the mark and sewn It between the Inner and outer skins of thy first little suit of soft leather." " In what part of the suit, O my mother? " An- netje asked breathlessly. After all here was some- thing of the past. But a scrap to be sure but some- Her White Manitou 205 thing tangible, and already she planned to look for it the moment she arrived again in Nieuw Amster- dam. " 'Twas placed over thy heart, O my daughter," the woman answered. " It was a strange mark to my eyes and I thought the manitou of thy people might be glad if it were near the centre of thy life.'* " And now about this man who came? " Annetje inquired after a moment's thought. " He told me he wished to trade. Did he bring fire-water to the young braves? " " Nay, my daughter. Save that he believed not what I told him but would ask again and yet again the same question, he acted fittingly, — though 'tis true I liked not his eyes," the squaw added. " He had naught to do with this uprising against Wiltwyck?" Annetje insisted. " Nay," said the Indian woman positively. " The oachem grieved in his heart for that bloody deed and, had that paleface had aught to do with it, his life would have paid the forfeit." This news of the pedlar brought a sudden change In Annetje's feelings toward the man. She had ac- cused him falsely, and to make amends, resolved in the future to lay aside her suspicions of his mo- tives, after which she dismissed him from her mind. There were many questions on the tip of her tongue that only her Indian mother could answer, but ere the hau were asked, they were interrupted by a brave who pushed by the mat and stood before them. " The Sachem would have the White Blossom come to the council fire," he announced, and Annetje rose to follow him. CHAPTER XXIV WHITE BLOSSOMS A NNETJE found the elders of the tribe seated l\ in a semicircle about the council fire. Behind jL Jl them, rank upon rank, stood the younger braves all hideously painted with black and yellow stripes. Save for the crackling of the burning wood no sound broke the stillness, and the ominous quiet seemed to foretell disaster. The breathless air, the feverish heat of the shimmering sun and the strange immobility of the trees upon which no leaf stirred, brought an anxious throb to the heart as if all na- ture awaited the moment to strike. So also was it with the Indians. Motionless they stood, ready for the signal that would let loose all the pent-up ferocity they hid behind a calm and impassive demeanour. Only their eyes burned fiercely and the girl shud- dered as she stood before them, realizing upon how slender a thread hung the issues of life and death. " The White Blossom has come, O Sachem," she announced, holding up her head proudly and facing them all with as proud a mien as she could muster. Her Instinct told her that only by a brave front could she accomplish anything. " The council would see the sign from the Great White Chief, O daughter," the Sachem answered. " There be those who doubt that he would speak through the lips of a child." With intentional deliberation Annetje drew the seal from her bosom and held it high. 206 White Blossoms 207 " Look, O warriors of the Algonklns ! " she cried, lifting her voice so that it might carry to the farthest brave. " The chief of the palefaces has given to the White Princess this token of his trust so that her people shall know that she speaks in his name. Look well, O brothers ! Look well ! " There was a slight movement in the throng as they moved forward but In a moment it had ceased and, all was motionless as before. After a long silence the Sachem spoke. " Thy father has told the Esopus the message thou hast brought, O my daughter," he said. " The words have sunk into our hearts, yet Is the future like a muddy spring. Who can see deep enough to tell what lies at the bottom of thy coming? Let another speak that all may know that none is denied his full rights at the council fire." Scarce had he finished when a young, eager war- rior with burning eyes leaped to his feet. *' Give ear, O braves of the Esopus," he half chanted. " Shall a river of words make a mock of us? Must our wrongs be repeated again and again ere the blood of our warriors is warmed to the work that lies at our hands to do? Are we become as the frightened rabbit that runs at the rustling of the rusty leaves? Shall a paleface maiden snatch from our grasp the bow already bent or break the arrows already pointed at the breasts of our en- emies? There is a blood debt to be paid, O my brothers, and my manltou bids me strike I So shall my feet be set upon the warpath till the Great Spirit stays my hand. I have spoken ! " He sat down and a movement among the silent throng was plain evidence that he voiced the feelings of many. Annetje's heart sank as she looked from one impassive face to another seeking any whose 2o8 A Maid of Old Manhattan expression might give her encouragement to hope. Opposite the Sachem there was seated an old chieftain and of all in the semicircle he alone held in his hand a naked tomahawk. His eyes were fixed upon the fire and he stared into the glowing coals as if to read there the answer to the questions that perplexed him. Presently he rose to speak and gazed straight at Annetje. " O white princess," he began in a deep voice, " thou hast come back to the tribe after many moons have passed. Seasons of blossom and seasons of snow alike have come and gone many, many times and the Esopus have not seen thee. All thy mo- ments have been spent among the palefaces whose tongues are forked and whose hands are outstretched to take from us that which the Great Spirit gave to our forefathers. Tell me, O White Princess, is thy heart with the tribe or with the palefaces? " He stopped suddenly and his last words seemed to echo softly through the hushed air. " Listen, O my red brothers," Annetje cried in ringing tones, " the heart of thy white princess is with her tribe. Never has it strayed from those who guided her feeble steps when she was a weak papoose. She has had no mother but the one whose wigwam she shared. No other father has she had save he who is thy Sachem. Yet has thy princess an understanding of the palefaces. Their ways are known to her. She can read what is in their minds. And because she is neither one nor the other but both, therefore is it that thy princess would make peace between you, seeing that in her is united the love for one and the understanding of the other." " But the path to that peace Is twisted," the old chief answered. " The princess would have us stay our hands when each arm is ready to strike and the White Blossoms 209 end IS sure. Never again may so many palefaces be at our mercy. There be those who say that if we loose the arrow the hearts of our enemies will be turned to water and they will cease to trouble us." " Nay," Annetje replied, " he who counsels thus knows them not. The White Chieftain Is no woman. Again and yet again will he send his peo- ple against you, and the end is sure." "What then would the princess have us do?" came the next question after a period of silence. " Go to the north as the swallows fly," answered Annetje. " Give up the prisoners, and if the pale- faces still follow, go again north, till a day comes when their blood is cooled and they relinquish the chase. After that will come the parleys and the Great White Chief will remember that when the tribe might have put their enemies to death they held back their tomahawks." " But the prisoners are far away with the squaws and papooses," the Sachem put in. " Let them be liberated as soon as may be," An- netje replied. " It is needful now to avoid battle, so that no more anger be stirred in the hearts of all. O my red brothers," she went on, appealing to the whole company, " it is my love for the tribe that cries out to you. The White Blossom would not have you scattered to the four winds, as will surely come to pass if the tribe stay not their hands this day. The Sachem has told you of the message from the White Chief, and I say to you, ' Trust him whose power is greater than that of many chiefs.' O my brothers, If there is love in your hearts for your white princess, if you have not forgotten the days when she dwelt among you and the warmest corner in every wigwam was hers, give heed to my words, for in my love for you I am still as the little child 2IO A Maid of Old Manhattan the Great Spirit entrusted to your tender care." She ended, standing straight and tall with her arms outstretched to them, and an audible murmur arose from the closely packed ranks; but she could not tell what it portended and in an instant a profound silence settled down upon them once more. Minute after minute passed, yet none spoke, and gradually the eyes of all shifted until they were upon the old warrior opposite the Sachem. 'Twas plain to Annetjc that with him rested the decision, and she, too, gazed at him, waiting for the word that would bring joy or sorrow. Then, as if an unseen hand had fanned the heated air, a breath of wind stirred the trees and a drift of white blossoms fluttered down as gently as might snow flakes sent to cool the anger in the hearts of those about the council fire. " Her manitou has spoken! It is a sign! '' cried the ancient chieftain, and with marked deliberation he laid his tomahawk upon the ground; then gath- ering a handful of the pale flowers he dropped them slowly one by one upon the gleaming instrument of death until tne blade was hid. He had buried the hatchet and Annetje knew that her coming had not been in vain. On the instant the Sachem rose to his feet. " We go to the north, O braves," he cried, and motioning to Annetje to follow, he strode swiftly toward the great lodge. Of the murmur and clamour of tongues about her the girl heard nothing. Her heart was singing for joy and she moved along the path behind the Sachem, scarce conscious that her feet touched the ground. While she was yet at a distance from the lodge she saw three figures before the entrance. Between two guards was a white man, bound and blindfolded. White Blossoms 21 1 With a pang of fear she recognized that the captive was Balthazar Stuyvesant, and she could scarce re- strain a cry of dismay. She darted forward, intent upon his immediate release, but, ere she reached the spot, the Sachem had given an order and the prisoner was hurried away. Not until she came to the inner chamber did An- netje overtake the chief who was telling his squaw to make ready for immediate departure. " Thou wilt stay with thy white people, O my daughter?" he asked as she entered. " 'Tis there my duty points, my father," she re- plied. " Then our farewells must be short," he broke In, as she would have gone on. *' A storm will come and we must be far from here to find shelter against it. The white soldiers make it impossible for us to remain in the castle, for if we are not to strike first then must we leave in all haste." '' But, my father," Annetje persisted, *' there Is a new prisoner in this camp. He must be released forthwith." " That cannot be," replied the Sachem sternly. *' The White Blossom can be left here, because in her heart there is no guile and the paleface warriors will not learn from her which way her people have gone. With this new captive it is different. Him I dare not trust and so he goes with us." *' But he must be released," cried Annetje. ** He Is the son of the Great White Chief, O my father." *' Is he so ! " exclaimed the Sachem, showing his satisfaction at this news. " Then shall he be held as hostage, until those things which thou hast promised us shall be fulfilled." "Nay, my father — " Annetje began, but the Sachem cut her short. 212 A Maid of Old Manhattan " 'Twill avail naught to sue further," he insisted. " At her bidding scores of palefaces have been spared. Is that not enough to satisfy my daughter? Shall the Esopus be put In danger for one paleface? Nay, it cannot be. Farewell, my White Blossom. Thou hast done a great service to thy people and It shall not be forgotten. Farewell." Without an- other word he stalked out of the chamber and was gone ere Annetje could stay him. " O my mother," she cried, turning to the Indian woman, who watched her with loving eyes. *' What shall your child do ? They have taken one who came but to protect her, and she cannot help him. O my mother, thy Annet's heart was glad that there would be no bloodshed. Now is it sad again for she fears what may happen to this new captive." " Is it a young brave, my daughter? " asked the squaw. " Nay, my mother, he Is naught but a youth, scarce older than thy child," replied Annetje, her voice breaking. " If we return and he is not with us what can I say to the Great White Chief? Help me, my mother. Is there no way that we can set him free ? " " He will be upon the march ere thy mother can find him," was the answer. " But have a good courage. The squaw of the Sachem is not without power. Soon after we have set out he will return to thee." "O my mother!" Annetje exclaimed joyfully, hugging the Indian woman in ecstasy, and then, her voice falling, " but I have forgotten that we must part. When shall we see each other again, O my mother? " " Who can tell? " was the reply, '' yet am I of a good spirit in that I have seen thee and shall carry away the knowledge that thou hast still a place in White Blossoms 213 thy heart for thy Indian mother. Farewell, my little Annet. I must leave thee, for our people dare not delay and I would not hold them back." They held each other in a silent embrace for a moment, then they went together to the entrance of the lodge where a sentry stopped them. '' The command has been given that the white princess remain within till all are gone," he said, and Annetje halted at the door. " O my mother," she cried, as sudden thought coming to her. ^' Canst thou take a message to him?" With a nod as if indeed she understood all that went on in Annetje's mind, the squaw hastened to a white birch tree and, stripping a small piece of the bark, brought it back to the girl, finding a thorn upon the way. With this Annetje scratched the following mes- sage. '* Come back to the castle. Annetje." *' Give the paleface captive that, my mother," she said, handing the bit of bark to the other; "by it he will know that I await him here." ''Has he indeed touched thy heart, Annet?" asked the Indian woman with a smile upon her face, as she looked lovingly into the eyes of the slender girl beside her. For an instant Annetje could not reply; then the soft colour mounting to her brow, she answered a question that It had never occurred to her to ask herself. " Yes, my mother, he has touched my heart; though indeed I did not know It, nor does he." *' Thy mother read it In thy eyes," said the Indian woman, and with another close embrace they parted. CHAPTER XXV THE WORD OF A TRAITOR ALMOST noiselessly the Indians prepared for /jL their departure and after a time, Annetje, JL JL seated within the great chamber of the lodge, became aware, she scarce knew how, that they had gone. She sat listlessly upon the pile of skins, a little weary after the strain she had been through and oppressed by a feeling of impending disaster. She was inclined to attribute this to her fear lest something should happen to Balthazar; but in reality her misgivings on that account were not very great. Annetje was confident that her Indian mother would be true to her word and that the young man would be released ere the savages were long upon the road. The old squaw lacked not influence with the Sachem, and she would exercise that influence to set Balthazar free just so soon as all danger of a surprise attack from the whites was past. In an hour or two she might expect him back, and she realized that here was no cause for the dread that overwhelmed her. An irresistible desire for the open seized her, as if the air in the lodge was too heavy to breathe, and she rose and hurried out of the place. But she found no relief under the trees. The deathly quiet still held, as if all nature awaited some dreadful happening. Annetje looked about her and of a sudden remem- bered the words of the Sachem. A storm was com- ing and if the Indians thought it needful to find 214 The Word of a Traitor 215 shelter against its fury, then, indeed, was It like to be severe. Her first thought was for Balthazar, but she was assured that he would be back at the castle ere the tempest was upon him. It was for the white expedition, lightly encamped in the forest, that she felt seriously alarmed; and without hesita- tion she left the stockade and plunged into the path- less woods. She meant to tell them that the wilden had gone and lead them to the stronghold where they would be safe against the coming wind and rain. Unerringly Annetje chose the stralghtest path back to where the company was halted. She herself was not conscious of directing her steps, it was as if the wood-lore, learned in her childhood among the Indians, had returned to her, revived by these days in the trackless wilderness. Without pause she hurried on, pushing through the briars that seemed to reach out to hold her back, aware only of the great need for haste. Already the bright- ness of the sky was dimmed, but the heat was still intense and as yet no breeze stirred the drooping leaves. When she reached the camp, darkness was falling fast, though the sun was yet an hour above its set- ting. She avoided a sentry and took her way direct to Martin Cregier. " I have come, Mynheer Kapitein, to lead our company to the Indian castle ere the storm breaks,'* she panted as she reached his side. " We have need to hasten if we would arrive In time." ''Softly! Softly!" he answered In none too pleasant a tone. " It would seem that this expedi- tion is in your keeping, young Meisje. 'Tis not so long ago that word came to us from you, that the savages were near and that we should use all care 2i6 A Maid of Old Manhattan against attack. Now you tell us they are gone. What is the meaning of it? " " They were there but they have gone," Annetje answered. " There will be time to explain when we find shelter; but 'tis some distance and, if I am not mistaken, a tempest will soon be upon us." As if to emphasize her words the first low, moan- ing wind stirred the tree-tops and a deep gloom began to steal in among the tall trunks as a scud of swiftly flying cloud shut out the little that was left of the fast-fading light. " I think the girl's advice is good," said Pieter Van Couwenhoeven, who among others, consulted with the leader. " Art sure the wilden have fled? " Cregier asked, after a moment's thought. ** Aye," Annetje answered readily, " I was there when they went." '' 'Tis passing strange," the captain grunted. *' But we can await your story. Go to Mevrouw Van Imbroeck and help her on the march. We strike camp at once." Annetje found the lady In any but a pleasant frame of mind, and upon the news that the Indians had left their stronghold her anger knew no bounds. *' Now must we forego their punishment!" she cried out. " We should not have halted, but struck them today ere they knew of our coming." " They were well aware of our presence, Mev- rouw Van Imbroeck," Annetje answered. *' Nay, that I do not believe, Melsje," she re- torted, and then, with a sudden venemous glance at the girl, " unless some one told them I " she ended significantly. *' Nay, they had no need to be told," Annetje replied patiently. *' But it matters not. 'Tis need- The Word of a Traitor 217 ful now that we make ready to take our way to the castle." " I shall not budge," the other exclaimed, but as she spoke there came the distant roll of thunder echoing through the forest, and her anger seemed to cool on the instant. '' Oh, I Hke not that sound," she whimpered. " I have been fearful of lightning since I was a little child. Think you it will be a bad storm? " '' I have no doubt of It, Mevrouw," Annetje told her. " Already it is gathering, and we must hasten or it will overtake us." " Hurry then and let us go," said the elder woman, feverishly preparing for departure. The company was not long in starting upon the journey to the Indian stronghold, and though they followed Annetje at as good a pace as she could set, they were not to escape unscathed. They had gone scarce half the distance ere the gloom that had Increased minute by minute shut out all the light and they went forward in wellnigh utter darkness. An attempt was made to light torches, but the ever-increasing wind blew them out as fast as they were kindled and Annetje pushed on, guided only by the instinct now alive in her. Nearer and nearer came the booming of the thunder, almost simultaneous with the sharp, glittering flashes of lightning, which illuminated the scene for an instant, only to leave a denser blackness behind. And always the gale grew greater, until the giant trees rocked and the air was filled with flying leaves and broken twigs. Then for a time It seemed that the climax was past, but after a momentary lull the storm was renewed with redoubled violence. In a panic the company struggled forward, blindly trusting to Annetje. And still the tumult increased, 21 8 A Maid of Old Manhattan till presently there came the crashing of falling trees to increase their terrors. Above, the hghtning hissed and crackled, and the thunder roared, rocking the very ground beneath their feet till it seemed that human senses could endure the strain no longer. Annetje, panting from her labours, suddenly be- gan to wonoer if she were upon the right path. She had a feeling, that unless she had gone astray, they should have arrived at the castle ere this, and once the doubt assailed her, she became a prey to a host of misgivings. So long as she had fougnt her way ahead, counting only upon her instinct to direct her she had not questioned her ability to lead the party aright, but now she suddenly halted, not knowing which way to turn and trembling as a full realization of the storm's fury burst upon her. The man behind came close and shouted in her ear. *' Why do you stop?" This reached her in a hurried whisper as if the speaker were a great distance away. She tried to answer, but the words were torn from her lips ere they were half framed. " What did you say? " the man called again, but Annetje shook her head in the darkness and turned away bewildered. For an instant she was ready to give up, and an overwhelming sense of helplessness mastered her. Then, in the blaze of a prolonged burst of lightning, she saw the gaping entrance to the stockade but a few rods ahead, and a cry of joy escaped her. Ten minutes later, as the rain came pouring down to add its tattoo to the pandemonium about them, the last of the company round shelter, and Annetje led the nigh fainting Mevrouw Van Imbroeck to The Word of a Traitor 219 the heap of skins In the great chamber of the chief's lodge. The leaders of the company soon had a fire burn- ing and a score of torches and candle-knots lighted to dispel the gloom, for even the bravest longed for the sight of a friend to cheer him after so dreadful an experience. As for Annetje, no sooner was she rid of one anxiety than another assailed her. She had expected to find Balthazar waiting for her when she returned to the castle; but there was no sign of him. She tried to ease her mind by telling herself that he was no doubt In one of the wigwams within the enclosure, but she felt by no means convinced. " Perhaps he will come when the storm abates," she thought, but when, at length, she and Mevrouw Van Imbroeck sought the Inner chamber for the night and there was still no word of him, she could no longer hide from herself the fact that she feared something serious had occurred, and her sleep was but fitful. The morning dawned clear and bright, and with It came a return of Mevrouw Van Imbroeck's resent- ment at the failure of her plan to trap the Indians. Scarcely was she awake before she began to upbraid Annetje for the part she had played, and accused her roundly of warning the redskins of their coming. *' I do not believe the savages knew we were near until you told them," she insisted, and Annetje, caring not to deny where she would not be believed, held her tongue until she was dressed and then went forth from the lodge to seek news of Balthazar. In truth she cared little what Mevrouw Van Im- broeck might think of her. She could not under- stand the woman's thirst for vengeance, and her conscience was clear in all that she had done. 220 A Maid of Old Manhattan But of Balthazar she found no trace. None of the men In the party had seen aught of him, and she could no longer find an encouraging excuse for his absence. Either he was still with the Indians or he had lost his way in the storm and perhaps perished. Wishing not to come into contact with Mevrouw Van Imbroeck while her heart was filled with anxiety, she wandered about the enclosure where a messenger found her and summoned her to attend at once on Martin Cregier. He and Pieter Couwenhoeven were with Mev- rouw Van Imbroeck in the largest room and by the expression of their faces she knew that their business was serious. " Annetje Pelgrom," Cregier began, '* tell us your story. And I warn you, let us have the plain truth. It seems to us your actions are in need of much explanation.'' Annetje recounted her experiences, holding back nothing of what had happened from the time she had left Balthazar, save how she had persuaded the Indians to stay their hands. That matter was be- tween herself and them, and to no one but the Gov- ernor would she disclose the details. " But why did the Mohickanders go away If they could have massacred us all?" demanded Cregier sceptically, when she had finished. " They went because I asked them to," Annetje replied, knowing well that this answer would scarce satisfy any one of her auditors. *' A likely tale," laughed Mevrouw Van Imbroeck disagreeably. *' You would scarce have us believe that, girl," Pieter Van Couwenhoeven growled. " Why should they listen to you? " " The Esopus Is the tribe that adopted me as a The Word of a Traitor 221 baby/' Annetje explained. *' The Sachem Is as a father to me and Indeed all love me. They be- lieved when I told them It was best not to kill you, though they could have slain every member of our company." " 'TIs beyond reason that a band of savages should stay their hand at the word of a maid," Martin Cregler Insisted. "At the word of a traitor, you should say!" Mevrouw Van Imbroeck broke In violently. " Here Is the true explanation. She feared for her foster parents, and, caring naught for us, ran off Into the woods to warn them of our coming." " I cared enough to guide you through the storm," Annetje flashed back at the vindictive woman. " I was safe here when the tempest was brewing, and might have remained secure against all accident." " That Is not here or there," Pieter Van Couwen- hoeven cried. " I agree with Mevrouw Van Im- broeck. This girl was raised among the Indians and has a weak spot In her heart for them. Seeing that we were apt to exterminate the reptiles she gave them word of our coming. 'TIs in my mind that It were best to send her back a prisoner with a report to those In Wiltwyck. They will find a way to punish her, I doubt not." " Aye," cried Mevrouw Van Imbroeck, *' let me go back with her and tell the town that, but for her, we would have rescued their wives and sisters and children. Let me tell them how she has thwarted their just revenge and I warrant she will rue the day she marred our plans." For the first time Annetje began to see how seri- ous might be the outcome of this parley. She had counted upon Peter Stuyvesant to judge the matter. To the people of the Sopus, half mad with their 222 A Maid of Old Manhattan sufferings, she could look for no mercy, nor would her explanation serve her there any more than here. *' Have you naught to say?" demanded Cregier brutally. '* Now you are found out in your savage treachery, have you not the grace to confess and tell us you are sorry? " *' But I am not sorry," cried Annetje. " Were it to be done again I would do it. Aye, a hundred times. I tell you that had it not been for me you would all have been dead or prisoners by now.'* '' That I do not believe," Cregier roared back. *' Even so, it is the truth," cried a new voice, and turning, they saw that Balthazar Stuyvesant had entered the room unheard. CHAPTER XXVI BALTHAZAR TAKES HIS LEAVE **TT^ were more fitting, Martin Cregier, if your I words expressed the gratitude owed Juffer An- -■- netje," Balthazar cried boldly, as he strode up to the little group and took his place beside the girl. It was plain that he was angry and he took no pains to hide the cause of it. " It is true, as she has told you, that we were as good as dead men had she not pleaded for us. The wilden out- numbered us as ten to one. I know because I saw them. Not twenty rods from our camp was I seized and made captive. For while we thought ourselves secure they watched us, ready to strike when best suited them. What right have you, who led this company into a trap, to doubt what the Juffer has told you?" " Her story seemed scarce possible," Cregier re- torted, flushing at the accusation of indifferent lead- ership. *' But if you bear out her tale we must perforce believe her and I shall do her full justice in my report to his High Mightiness the Governor." *' And I too shall write to the Governor," Mev- rouw Van Imbroeck cried. '' 'Tis plain to see why the young Heer Balthazar defends this Melsje and my opinion has not changed. If you men," she went on, her voice rising higher and higher as her passion swayed her, '' are gulled by a silly tale con- cocted by this boy and girl, so be It. I tell you flat I give no credence to It." And with a toss of her head she quitted them forthwith. 223 224 A Maid of Old Manhattan Martin Cregier and Pieter Van Couwenhoeven exchanged glances. " I think this expedition will be better served if there are two less females in the company," the latter said aside to his friend with a wry smile. '* Aye," agreed Cregier, and aloud, " To my think- ing the young Heer Balthazar will make the best leader for the returning party. What say you, sir? " he ended with a glance in his direction. " To my thinking it were best that the entire expedition return, or else await reinforcements," Balthazar answered calmly, having mastered his sudden anger. " And are we to leave the captives in the hands of the savages and do naught to save them?" Cregier demanded. " Nay," Annetje said, " go forward upon the trail of the wilden and, if you offer no attack, in due time all the prisoners will be given back to you. They would have been released ere this had they been in the castle. As it is, you need not fear for them." '' I like not to press on if, as you say, the savages outnumber us," Pieter Van Couwenhoeven re- marked, addressing Balthazar. " It seems to me," answered the young man, " that it would be wise for you to go ahead as An- netje advises, while I return to Nieuw Amsterdam and ask my father to send you reinforcements." '* 'Tis good advice and we will put it into execu- tion at once," Martin Cregier agreed. " As to you, Annetje Pelgrom, I now thank you for leading us here last night." He ended this cold speech with a slight bow, and with his companion left the lodge. Annetje, her heart eased of all anxiety, turned a smiling face to Balthazar. *' What happened that you were so long in getting Balthazar Takes His Leave 225 back?" she asked. "Did you receive my mes- sage? " '* Yes," answered Balthazar, " and it heartened me more than I can tell you. But it was not until the darkness of the storm came upon us that I was released. An Indian woman made it plain by signs that a great tempest would soon break and, as we passed, pointed out a small cave. Later when I was free I found that cave, as I think she meant I should, and took shelter in it, but the night was far spent ere the wind subsided and I thought it best to await the light before trying to retrace my steps." " That Indian woman was my foster mother," said Annetje after a moment. " I guessed that," answered Balthazar. *' She had a look in her eyes as if she yearned to tell me something, but I could not read the meaning of it." There was much more to talk over, but they soon found that no time was to be lost in starting them upon their way. Mevrouw Van Imbroeck seemed as impatient to be off as she had been to seek the Indians and the two leaders of the expedition were plainly anxious to have matters wholly in their own hands. Annetje, having accomplished all that she had come to do, was ready enough to depart, and in a little while the small party took leave of those in the castle and started upon the trip back to Wilt- wyck with little regret upon either side. There were no untoward incidents to halt their progress, and in due time they reached the desolated little town. Mevrouw Van Imbroeck scarce had a word for either Balthazar or Annetje, but neither cared greatly and found plenty of enjoyment in their own company. Much to their surprise, however, 226 A Maid of Old Manhattan the lady decided at the last minute to go with them to Nieuw Amsterdam, saying significantly that she thought a talk with His High Mightiness the Gov- ernor would serve her purpose better than a letter. So they endured her angry glances and sullen ways as best they could while the current carried them swiftly down the great river. Vrouw Pelgrom and NIckje welcomed Annetje back and it would be hard to say which of the two showed the most joy. The racoon scuttled about the room, darting in now and then, to take a loving nip at the girl's ankles, while the old dame pro- claimed fondly that naught but mulled cider could fittingly celebrate so happy an event as Annetje's return. '^ Ah, my dear,'* she said, as she sipped the first draft, " none can make a brew like this save thee. How I have existed in thy absence I cannot tell. Now let me have thy tale from the night I said good-bye to thee." Supper was finished ere the whole of the adven- ture was recounted, for there were questions a-plenty Vrouw Pelgrom insisted upon having answered; nor was she satisfied without the minutest details. *' And so the wilden went away at thy bidding," she murmured to herself. " 'TIs past belief — but I doubt not his High Mightiness the Governor had something to do with it, though thou hast said naught of him. *' Nay," she went on as Annetje would have spoken, " I have no wish to share confidences with these lofty ones. I can ne'er be accused of gossiping about things I take pains to know naught of." " I have not told thee of my Indian mother," Annetje suggested after a little. "Didst see her?" Vrouw Pelgrom exclaimed, Balthazar Takes His Leave 227 opening her eyes wide. *' And had she news of thy babyhood?" ^' But little," Annetje acknowledged and then re- counted all that had transpired. " You see," she ended, " 'tis evident that the black woman who car- ried me into the forest was a slave." '' Aye," agreed the dame, " and 'tis as evident that those who can afford slaves are not the poor of this world. Thy family were people of quality, Annetje. I have always known it in my heart. Yet have I said naught of it to thee, seeing no good to be gained by putting notions into thy head that could not be proven." '' But perhaps they can be proven, Vrouw Pel- grom?" Annetje answered eagerly. "One other thing I have not told thee. There was a mark upon my baby clothes. A broidered monogram perhaps, and this my Indian mother cut out and sewed within my little suit. 'Tis the same mark that we noticed among the beads. She thought to please the Great Spirit by putting it upon all my things, and now I mean to find the piece of linen from which she copied the design." " In which of the suits was It hid?" asked the dame, betraying some anxiety. She knew not what this might portend, and in her heart she had always dreaded the day when the girl would be taken away from her. " It was in the first suit, she said," Annetje an- swered, stopping short as a thought entered her head. " By that she meant the first one ever she made me, I think. Which was the one that was sold, Vrouw Pelgrom? " " My dear, I fear 'twas the smallest one," Vrouw Pelgrom answered. " It seemed the least valuable, though rich enough at that; but seeing, that it was 228 A Maid of Old Manhattan too small for thee even then, I thought it could be easily spared. Alas, I fear now it was the most precious." With a pang of disappointment Annetje hurried to the drawer under her slaap-banck and drew forth the two httle suits. With great care she ripped a seam in each, but found naught to reward her. If indeed the remnant of the little dress was to help solve the mystery of her birth, she was as far as ever from the knowledge she longed for. ** Dost remember who bought the suit?" she asked after a long time. " 'Tis in my mind, an Englishman who was in- terested in such things took it back home with him," the dame replied. " But 'tis ten long years since then and I can scarce be certain. 'Twas sold through Jacob Janse and he's dead this twelvemonth. But, my child, what canst thou hope to discover even shouldst thou find it? " *' It might give a clue to my family," Annetje answered. " Aye, that might well be," replied the dame, picking up the skin jackets, " but have we not the same design here — and it tells us naught." " That's true, too," Annetje agreed with a sigh, and though they talked longer of the matter they were in the end no nearer what they sought. Annetje took up her life where she had left it and was at work the next morning as if she had never been upon such an adventure. The dame, too, grumbled at this or that, as her feelings dic- tated, and gossiped of the news the town afforded as if naught had come to break the monotony of her regular existence; but the girl seemed to have grown older and Vrouw Pelgrom, watching closely, won- dered if aught had occurred upon the journey to Balthazar Takes His Leave 229 justify the fears she and Mevrouw Varleth had en- tertained. She said nothing, however, for the very fact that Annetje talked frankly of Balthazar set her mind at rest for the time being and she was half Inclined to conclude that she had exaggerated the danger. Much to Annetje's regret she learned that the young pedlar had paid for his goods In hard money and disappeared. She took pains to tell Vrouw Pelgrom, In justice to the man, that he was blame- less of having any hand In the Indian troubles and expressed regret for her suspicions, then she tried to forget the hopes he had fostered. One day Annetje was sent for by the Governor and marched to the Fort escorted by a stout hal- berdier. She had expected this summons sooner or later, and felt no trepidation when she found herself under Peter Stuyvesant's sharp eyes. He dismissed all her attendants and told her to seat herself. " It seems I have much to thank thee for, child," he began pleasantly enough. " From the reports I have of the affair thou didst well upon the trip north. Cregler sends word he Is sceptical of thy services and swears he would have beaten the redskins had the Issue arisen, while Mevrouw Van Imbroeck vows thou art a traitor. 'TIs plain my secret was kept. I'm right glad I trusted thee, for I have heard some- thing of thy side of the story from my son. His life It appears I also owe to thee." " Nay, except for me he would not have been captured," Annetje Insisted. " His life was never in danger I am sure, after the council decided against a batde." " I see thou art modest as well as brave, which is well," Stuyvesant replied. " I shall not forget thy service. Now there are certain matters that are 230 A Maid of Old Manhattan somewhat clearer to me than to Martin Cregier and the others, but I would know how far thou hast committed the Director General of this Province, and I am importuned for more men to send after these savages — what hast thou to say to that?'* " I would beg your High Mightiness not to send them," Annetje answered, and then she told for the first time, all that had occurred around the council- fire. Stuyvesant listened intently, putting in a ques- tion now and then, to make clear a point, but scarce interrupting till the tale was finished. " I promised that your High Mightiness would treat them fairly," she ended, '' and that when the hot blood was cooled on both sides you would ar- range a parley to the end that the peace-pipe could be smoked. " Thou hast done well, child," he told her after a moment's reflection. 'Tis a pity thy work cannot be proclaimed and credit given, but that would de- feat our plan. Nevertheless, remember that thou hast a friend in Peter Stuyvesant." *' I thank your High Mightiness," she answered, and moved to take her departure. '' One moment," the Governor called after her. *' Hast thou no wish that I may gratify by way of reward for thy services? " "Oh, no, your High Mightiness!" Annetje ex- claimed. *' It was my heart's desire to stop this war- fare. I have to thank your gracious favour for giving me the chance." *' But as to Balthazar," the Governor asked, watching her closely. *' In spite of what the Me- vrouw Van Imbroeck has to say of the matter, he insists that thou hast saved his life. I should like to lighten that debt to some extent. Is there naught that I can do for thee?" Balthazar Takes His Leave 231 *' Nay, your High Mightiness," Annetje answered with a little smile. " Seeing that you helped me to save my tribe from future trouble, let us call the debt cancelled." Stuyvesant rose and moved to the door beside which the girl stood. " My child," he said gently, *' such a debt is not so easily cancelled, yet shall I not mind being be- holden to thee. Perhaps I may be of service to thee in return in the days to come. Count upon my in- fluence and come to me for advice, if so thou art minded. Little maids of course must stop at home; but this trip up the Mauritious has given Balthazar a taste for adventure. 1 am sending him to the West Indies for his education. Dost think well of it?" He looked at her keenly and she, meeting his eye with no sign of embarrassment, nodded her head. *' I think it will be splendid, your High Mighti- ness. Every man must wish to see the world." Then with a curtsey she quitted the room. ** Mevrouw Van Imbroeck tells lies and my sister is a fool!" Stuyvesant muttered to himself as he went back to his desk. Three days later while Annetje and Vrouw Pel- grom were mixing an unguent, Balthazar Stuyvesant burst into the cottage. It was the first time he had seen Annetje since their return from the woods and he greeted her gladly. For Vrouw Pelgrom he had a joking word and then announced his news. "I'm off to the West Indies!" he exclaimed, '* I have come to say farewell. The ship sails on the next tide and I have been working like mad to make ready. It all came of a sudden, my father having made up his mind but yesterday." Under cover of Vrouw Pelgrom's loud and volu- 232 A Maid of Old Manhattan ble enthuslam neither of the others noted that Annetje showed no surprise. '^ It will be fine adventure," she said, with a cor- dial smile. '* I wish thou wert going with me," Balthazar cried. '^ Thou art the best comrade I know. Could we not have fun together aboard the ship? " " Aye," she agreed, " I think we could." And Vrouw Pelgrom regarded their frank friendliness with amazement. *' Good-bye, Annetje," he said a little later as he took his leave of them. *' I shall miss thee." " When art thou coming back? " she asked. " Nay, I know not," he answered. " Perchance I shall stay two or three years, travelling through the Islands. Don't forget me when I am gone. Good- bye, Vrouw Pelgrom. If I'm burnt black in the Indies I'll come to you to bleach me on my return.'* With a bound he was down the steps and away. " I'm glad he's to have such a fine trip," exclaimed Annetje as she turned to her work. '* He's such a nice boy — but I shall miss him," she added. Vrouw Pelgrom said nothing to the point for she was thinking. " I am a silly old woman and Mevrouw Varleth is no better," was her conclusion. CHAPTER XXVII A PASSING YEAR THE year that followed was quite uneventful both to the province and to Annetje. The captives from Wiltwyck were finally recov- ered and in the autumn a parley was held which gave promise of establishing a permanent peace. The life of the little town continued with increasing prosperity and if there were at times hints that the English were too high in the favour of Stuyvesant, and many rumours of political intrigue, the stolid Dutchmen paid scant heed to them and the Governor had to struggle with his problems alone. This state of affairs was of course, quite to his liking, for he was an old autocrat who had small inclination to consult the people over whom he ruled. Annetje thought constantly of Balthazar Stuyve- sant and yet, as the months passed, she heard no word of him from any source; nor did she expect to. She was fully conscious of the gulf between his social position and hers and saw no way to bridge it, but her thoughts of him were the happiest. She went over in her mind the days they had spent in the woods, recalling those incidents on the journey in which Balthazar had played the leading part and soon forgetting the anxieties, remembered only the joy of their open-hearted association. She looked for nothing to come of it, and to the depth of her own feeling toward him she gave no consideration. She had no wish to mar the memories of those pleas- ant hours with vain longings, knowing well that no 233 234 A Maid of Old Manhattan alliance was possible so long as she remained a name- less waif — and she had ceased to hope that she would ever learn who her parents were. It must not be supposed that the girl was discon- tented with her lot in life. She did not dishke the work she had to do and her affection for the fat dame was even proof against Vrouw Pelgrom's propensity for grumbling, for she knew that a mug of mulled cider was certain to dissipate any amount of ill- humour. Beside the compounding of medicines and cos- metics Annetje had all their buying to do, and when October came and with it a month of the Kermis and the cattle market, she was abroad early and late, laying In the winter's store of food and clothing. Vrouw Pelgrom, like most of the poorer folk, paid for her portion of the Kermis ox, a fine beast which was led around the town, brightly garlanded with flowers, to permit each customer to select the cuts desired while It walked about from house to house. The richer folk bought whole animals which were butchered and preserved In various ways for winter use. It was Indeed the busiest time In the year for the thrifty housewives of NIeuw Amsterdam, who made each her hundred pasties of meat and fruit to be frozen and stored for future needs. Annetje visited the market early and went from stall to stall upon her errands. There were booths for everything, cheese, fresh poultry and shell-fish, rubbed shoulders with velvets, jewelry and toys. Every one was abroad, a good-natured, noisy crowd, shouting lustily to make themselves heard above the blare of trumpets, the clatter of rommel-pots and the harsh cries of vendors. Then came Saint Claes's Eve, on the fifth of De- cember, and in preparation for this and the holidays A Passing Year 235 to follow, Annetje baked great plattersful of cookies and wafers. She was quite famous for her gilded ginger-bread, though among all the townfolk there was rivalry at this business. She went to all the pastlng-partles where the young people decorated with bright pictures the fancy cakes baked by their neighbours, her deft hands being always more than welcome; but she joined not In the noisy gossip of the young men and maids about her, contenting her- self playing with the children among whom she was a great favourite. During these holidays, which Included Christmas, New Year's Day and Three Kings' Even, as the Dutch called Twelfth Night, the air was very cold and Vrouw Pelgrom saw to It that the girl had her fun upon the Ice with the others of the city, old and young, who had brought their love of skaiing with them from Holland. Here she glided among the swan-sleds and boat-sleds In which sat the elders of the community, or stopped at one of the many booths for a cup of hot jocolato, or aniseed seethed In milk, or one of the many other warming drinks. So passed the winter. With the Spring came her old longing for the woods, and she was glad to find that her guardian Indian was again upon the watch. She asked eagerly for news of the tribe and learned that all was well with them and that the Sachem and his squaw kept her in their thoughts. As the summer approached there was more talk of the English making trouble for the province. Some even said that they meant to steal It from the Dutch. Those who had knowledge of the matter were Inclined to blame the Company at home for not taking measures to safeguard the NIeuw Nederlandt, but little of this reached Annetje, who was busy with her own thoughts and duties. 236 A Maid of Old Manhattan One day in July, of the year 1664, Madaleen Wittsen, who, of all her acquaintances, Annetje cared for the most, came with the news that a great ship had arrived from Curacoa. " 'Tis well," Vrouw Pelgrom grumbled, as was her wont. " Mayhap her cargo of sugar will put down the price, so that a poor body may sweeten her tea without fearing to become a charge upon the community." '* My moeder complains that they send us more rum than sugar," Madaleen remarked. " Aye, and she's right," Vrouw Pelgrom agreed. " They leave scant room upon their ships for food." Annetje heard this news with awakened thoughts of Balthazar. She wondered if perchance he had watched the ship sail and tried to picture him among the tropical islands. But her knowledge of such latitudes was so meagre that she smiled a little sadly, for she could bring naught to her mind but a small bit of sand with one lone palm tree standing on it like an up-ended birch broom. Later in the day, when she was sent upon an errand, she went out of her way to seek the Lange de Waal, the broad walk beside the river, where she could look out over the water. She wanted to see that ship from the West Indies, and stood gazing at it wistfully, quite lost to her surroundings. Suddenly her heart gave a great bound as she heard a quick step behind her and a voice she well knew calling her name. She turned and faced Bal- thazar Stuyvesant coming toward her with out- stretched hand. " Annetje! Is it thee? " he cried, as he reached her side. " I was going to Vrouw Pelgrom's as soon as I could. I have been longing to see thee." *' Didst thou come back on that ship? " Annetje A Passing Year 237 faltered, her hand In his and her eyes searching his sunburned, handsome face. " Aye, we dropped anchor early this morning. Art glad to see me? " he asked, smiling down on her. " Indeed, yes," she answered, and for a moment they stood thus looking into each other's eyes. " But I didn't know thou wert coming home so soon," she went on, withdrawing her hand gently. *' It is so unexpected." He frowned and shook his head as if the remark were a little embarrassing. " I didn't like it as much as I thought I should," he replied evasively. *' That is — I did like it, too, — but — I wanted to come home I " he added in a burst. " Wert thou homesick? " Annetje laughed lightly. Of a sudden there seemed a weight lifted from her heart and she had a great desire to sing. " Yes, I was homesick," he acknowledged, laugh- ing in his turn. *' Tell me about thyself. And how is Vrouw Pelgrom? Thou canst not know how many times I have thought about her, she is such a funny old woman and so fat; but — but I like her." He talked fast as if indeed the things he wanted to say, yet dared not, threatened to escape unless he hid them behind a great flow of words. ** We've been very well," Annetje replied. She was calm enough now, but made no effort to conceal the fact that she was glad to see him. They strolled up and down the Lange de Waal, forgetful of time or place, of everything save them- selves. But of a sudden Annetje became conscious of hostile eyes upon her and, looking across the broad street, she saw Mademoiselle de Sllle gazing at them with a curious, and not very pleasant expres- sion upon her pretty face. 238 A Maid of Old Manhattan " I must go home, Balthazar," she said hurriedly, realizing of a sudden what might be going on in the mind of that other girl. " I am glad thou art back. Good-bye." She left him a little dazed by her quick departure. *' She was glad to see me," he said to himself. ** But I don't think she was as glad as I was to see her." He shook his head stubbornly, a trick he had In- herited from his father, and went on about his busi- ness. Back In the little cottage In the Markveldt Steegic Annetje told Vrouw Pelgrom her news. ** He looks very well indeed," she said calmly. " I think his trip has done him good." But though she might conceal her feelings under sober words, there was a brighter colour In her cheeks, a happier tone In her voice and a sparkle in her eyes which could not be hidden, and the fat dame's fears returned In full measure. Nor could Vrouw Pelgrom gain any comfort from Balthazar's visit to them upon the following morning. He came eagerly, as cheerful and as boyish as ever, and the goodwife could not but welcome him; for though she vowed to herself that she must discourage his visits, yet was she ever disarmed by his frankness and spirit. He talked of his journey, of the ship, of Cura^oa, while the two worked at their tasks, and it soon developed that instead of disliking the Island as he had at first suggested, he was enthusiastic to return to It. ** It*s a wonderful place. I do wish you and An- netje could see It," he said, to Vrouw Pelgrom, but his eyes were upon the girl. *' Nobody seemed greatly pleased that I came back," he added Inno- cently a moment later. " Mother and Nicholas A Passing Year 239 were right enough, but Aunt Anna looked glum and my father only greeted me with a grunt. I think you and Annetje are the only ones who are really glad to see me." This was all that marked the renewal of Bal- thazar's visits to the little cottage. Scarce a day passed that he was not there on one pretext or an- other and Vrouw Pelgrom was at her wits' end, knowing not what she should do to put a stop to it. Nor was she the only one troubled over the matter. Annetje herself took thought, for 'twas not only at the house that Balthazar saw her; he was on the outlook to join her whenever she stirred abroad. She had seen more hostile eyes than Mademoiselle de Sille's and knew that it would give rise to gossip; so she felt that the time was nigh when she must speak. Her opportunity came as they walked back from the Maagde Paetje whither she had gone to soak some flax. " Balthazar," she said, as gently as she could, *' it is not well that we should be seen together so much. Mevrouw Van Corlear and the Juffer Kierstedc could scarce wait to see our backs to put their heads together." " What dost thou mean? " he asked with genuine surprise. *' Hast thou not seen people nudge each other as we passed by? " she asked. *' Aye, and I cared not," he answered firmly. '* Dost thou mind what silly gossips say? Shall we let them spoil our friendship? " ** I hope it will not spoil our friendship, Bal- thazar," she replied, " but I do care about the gos- sips. Nay, do not stop me," she went on, as he would have spoken, *' I must tell thee what is in my 240 A Maid of Old Manhattan mind. I am not a suitable friend for the son of his High Mightiness the Governor." *' I was never one to have a multitude of friends," he answered. " Nor was I," she admitted, but nevertheless not- ing that he was avoiding the main point at issue. *' Then shouldst thou value my friendship the more," he said wistfully. " Come, Annetje, don't let a silly notion — " " Nay, 'tis no silly notion," she interrupted. *' Thou art a Stuyvesant. That is the greatest name in the province, and I " — she hesitated an instant — " I am Annetje Lackname." " Then would it solve all difficulties if thou didst take my name," Balthazar answered, suddenly real- izing what had brought him back from Cura^oa. " Thou art over-young to adopt so large a daugh- ter, Balthazar," Annetje replied, not catching the drift of his words, for indeed what he meant had never entered her mind as a possibility. " 'Tis not a daughter but a wife I want thee for," he returned, and Annetje understood at last. For a moment she knew not what to say. She realized that in her own heart there was a love for him which she had scarce admitted even to herself; but so im- possible did marriage seem in the circumstances that she had never speculated on whether he cared for her and could not believe it now. " I thank thee, Balthazar," she said at length. *' Now indeed do I know that thou art my friend, but I would not have thee do aught because thou wert sorry for me." " Nay, 'tis not that I am sorry, but that I love thee, Annetje," he insisted earnestly. " I knew it not until this minute, but T have longed for thee ever since I set foot on that ship. I wondered what was " Thou art over-young to adopt so large a daughter, Balthazar " A Passing Year 241 wrong with me. I kept thinking of thee and trying to guess what thou wert doing. Always when I saw something I liked, I wished thee to see it, to share the pleasure with thee and so make it twice as beau- tiful. And when I saw thee that day I came back I felt as though a great load had been lifted from my heart. I do love thee, Annetje, and thou must marry me." She stopped and looked across the fields, her eyes soft with the joy gleaming out of them. A vague dream had come true. The love she had for him might now be acknowledged and freed from its im- prisonment in the secret places of her heart, yet the thing they both desired was impossible and she knew it. The Dutch law required the consent of all parents before any couple could have their name en- tered in the Trouw Boek where all marriages must be recorded. The proud Stuyvesants would ever bar her way to that, so she turned to Balthazar with a loving, sad little smile upon her lips. *' It cannot be, Balthazar," she said gently. " Thy father and mother would never consent." *' I will make them consent I" cried the son of " Hard-koppig Piet," " or we'll marry without their consent. I'll warrant Sir Harry Moody's parson would marry us an we went to Gravesend." " Nay, nay! " cried Annetje. " Never will I do that." *' Then thou dost not love me," Balthazar said miserably. " Don't say that," she said, putting a hand upon his arm. " Let me keep the best friend I have in the world." For a moment he answered nothing, then after the characteristic shake of his head he looked at her longingly. 242 A Maid of Old Manhattan *' Annetje, I know what I want and I'm going to have it in spite of my mother, or my father, or — or of thee ! " And Balthazar turned on his heel and left her. CHAPTER XXVIII annetje's answer A NNETJE was by no means disturbed by Bal- £\ thazar's abrupt departure. She understood JL jL his feelings and was quite willing to end an argument that could lead to nothing. She knew that he appreciated as well as she did the impossibility of reconciling all those who would be opposed to their marriage, and the very fact that he had gone off as he had showed her that he found no ready argument to combat her position. Moreover, she was glad that he had not stayed to force her Into further denial of his wishes. In spite of an ache in her heart, which was to grow as the days passed, she took a certain measure of joy in his having told her that he loved her. She had known for a long time that he was very dear to her and the knowledge that he, too, cared, sufficed to send her home with a song upon her lips. As to Balthazar, his declaration had been wholly spontaneous. He had not realized how strong a hold Annetje had upon his affections. Indeed, It was a revelation to him to discover that It was be- cause of her he had been homesick on his trip to the West Indies. He was still very young and although the past year had brought him nearer to manhood and a better understanding of his own feelings, it was Annetje's words that had given him a full com- prehension of the difficulties to be overcome ere he could have his wish. He knew now as well as she 243 244 A Maid of Old Manhattan did that the road to his desires was not easy. Nevertheless he was a son of Peter Stuyvesant, Hardheaded Peter, as many called him, and, like his father, was not wont to relinquish a thing he had once set his heart upon having. Yet was Balthazar mindful of Annetje^s protest against giving the townsfolk food for gossip. Once the matter was called to his attention he saw the wis- dom of her warning, and for the first time under- stood certain giggling hints of fair damsels of his own class. On the other hand, he had no intention of not seeing Annetje and, though his visits were less frequent, it was plain he had no thought of giving her up. Between himself and the girl there grew up a tacit understanding of the conditions. He said naught more of his love for her, but he was less gay than formerly and talked of serious matters that all had a bearing upon their own affairs. In particular he inquired minutely into all that was known of An- netje's history, and more than once the Httle Indian suits were brought out and examined. Annetje knew what was in his mind and liked him none the less for striving to find a way out of their difficulties; but she did not permit herself to hope that such a way would be found. One day, at the height of the summer, he met her at dusk near the cottage and stopped her. *' I have something to tell thee," he said In a matter-of-fact tone. "What Is it, Balthazar? " she asked. ** I have made up my mind to go back to the West Indies," he declared. " Out there I can make a place for myself and be beholden to no one. Wilt thou marry me then? " " Nay, Balthazar, that cannot be," she said after Annetje's Answer 245 a moment. *' I will not shame thy family. Thou art the son of the great Governor. Only with his permission would I think of giving thee thy wish." " I may be the Governor's son now," Balthazar answered, " but I do not think I shall be a Gov- ernor's son long." " What meanest thou? " Annetje demanded anx- iously. " That my father is like to find himself robbed of his province," Balthazar explained. " The Eng- lish are not content with ridding themselves of their jailbirds and rascally bond servants at our expense; they covet our land. Already they are buying parts of our province from the Indians, claiming that we have no rightful charter. My father has written again and again begging the Worshipful West India Company to settle our boundaries; but they do naught and we are left to fight the English claims without legal patents, because the first charter has never been confirmed by the States General under their seal." '' I do not understand," Annetje replied. '' Surely this is a Dutch colony? " " 'Tis Dutch only in name. We have naught to prove our holdings," Balthazar insisted. " A day may soon come when my father will find himself with nothing to govern." That was the first news Annetje had of the dis- turbing rumours that began to be noised about the town of England's intention to seize the Nieuw Nederlandt. A patent had been granted to James, Duke of York, under the great seal of England to " the territory comprehending Long Island and the islands in the neighbourhood and all the lands and rivers from the West side of the Connecticut River to the East side of the Delaware," and not long after 246 A Maid of Old Manhattan this conversation with Balthazar, Annetje awoke one morning to find the city in a ferment over the news that a secret expedition had sailed from Portsmouth in May and might be expected any day by way of the Sound. The old Governor wasted no time in calling the burghermeesters and schepens together to devise ways and means for protecting the town, and soon all were set to work upon the fortifications. Men who had never laboured with their hands carried a spade with the others, provisions were hurriedly collected, agents were sent into the country as far as New Haven to gather supplies, and with money loaned by the patroon, Jeremias Van Rennsselaer, a quantity of powder was obtained from New Amstel. It was a critical time for the company possessions, and none knew it better than Peter Stuyvesant, who went about his preparations for defence with the thor- oughness of an experienced soldier. But, ere these measures were more than started, a ship from Hol- land brought the reassuring news that the English expedition was a friendly one, intent only upon re- ligious matters in New England; and at once the Dutchmen forgot their anxiety and, relaxing their strenuous efforts, took up their accustomed business. During these days Annetje saw naught of Bal- thazar and worried a little at his absence. She be- gan now to realize how much his presence meant to her happiness and to appreciate more fully the sacri- fice she must make. He had said nothing of going away soon when last she had seen him and her mind was troubled. When she could, the girl went out into the country and, seated under the trees for shade against the August sun, thought sadly of the fate which hid from her the secret upon which her happi- ness depended. If she could but learn her name Annetje's Answer 247 then she felt that all might be well. She meditated constantly over this, only to come to the conclusion that she would never know. Upon one of these afternoons when Annetjc was away Mevrouw Varleth paid a visit to Vrouw Pel- grom. *' I am glad to see your Mightiness," said the dame, as soon as her guest was seated. *' It is in my mind that the fat is in the fire with the young Heer Balthazar and my girl Annetje." " You are right there," Mevrouw Varleth agreed. " More fat and more fire than you know. My nephew went to his father on the matter some days since and there was a fine to-do. In consequence the boy is banished to the bouwerie, though I doubt if he stays there long." " He has told his father! " exclaimed Vrouw Pel- grom, aghast. " How dared he? " '* He is a Stuyvesant," Mevrouw Varleth declared Droudly. " We dare anything! But," she went on, ler voice falling to regretful tone, *' it is like to go lard with the lad. He asked roundly for his fa- ther's consent to the match and when it was not given, spoke his mind like the rest of us. It is too bad." " I thought the trip to the Indies would end it," remarked Vrouw Pelgrom, after a moment's silence. " I saw thy hand in that." *' There was more than one hand in it, dame," her visitor explained. '' The Mevrouw Van Imbroeck started the ball rolling, with a tale of Balthazar's devotion upon the adventure in the north. She is a cat who can scratch when her fur is stroked the wrong way. I had said naught of why I counselled Balthazar's going abroad, and was blamed for send- ing the boy to the Sopus. But now what's to do? 248 A Maid of Old Manhattan If I know Balthazar, he will not give her up, and there are like to be pretty doings. How think you Annetje will act? " *' I know not," Vrouw Pelgrom answered. *' She has been low in her spirits and given much to mus- ing; but she talks little of the things nearest her heart." *' There has been gossip, as no doubt you know," Mevrouw Varleth said. *' Mademoiselle de Sille saw them on the Laange de Waal, and has been talk- ing of naught else ever since. I doubt not she and others I could mention would like Balthazar to look their way oftener. But the lad has no eyes for any one of them. He comes here still? " " Aye, your Mightiness, he does," Vrouw Pel- grom confessed. " I can do naught, short of for- bidding him the house. I try to look sour at him, but he laughs at me — and I perforce laugh with him. He is as taking a lad as ever I saw." " Well, we must contrive something," Mevrouw Varleth declared. *' If it goes on it can lead to naught but unhappiness for them both." '* 'Xis a great shame, your Mightiness," the dame burst out half angrily. '^ The girl is a lady born, that I'll swear, and the two are made for each other. Why cannot the Governor give his consent? " " Make up your mind that he never will," the Governor's sister declared. *' He thinks most ex- cellently well of the girl. Praises her good sense and talks of being in her debt. There is nothing within reason he would not do for her an she asked it. But this marriage — 'tis out of the question. Judith would never consent even if my brother would." " Well," said Vrouw Pelgrom, " from now on, you need not count upon me to thwart them. 'Tis Annetje's Answer 249 too late. And mark my words, my lady, that prophecy will come true. Neither you nor I nor the great Governor can stop it. There's naught to hinder them running off to Gravesend where they'll find parsons in plenty to marry them — and that's what 'twill come to. An elopement, your Mighti- ness, is what you may expect, and I'll not raise a hand to keep my girl unhappy." There was no gainsaying that the goodwife's pre- diction was a likely one. Mevrouw Varleth knew her nephew well enough to count upon his taking any desperate step necessary to gain his ends, and she left the cottage in no easy frame of mind. Half way along the Marckveldt Steegie, toward the Heere Graft, she met Annetje and, on impulse, stopped her. She could make a fairly accurate guess of what Balthazar would do if he were forced to the wall and she knew her brother's disposition well enough to be sure he would never consent to such a marriage. But what about the girl? She meant to find out then and there. She halted Annetje with a pleasant greeting and then, with intention to surprise her, " My child, do you love Balthazar? " she asked. Annetje opened wide her eyes in amazement, then seeing the earnestness in the great lady's face, she knew that this was no matter of impertinent curi- osity. " Yes, your Mightiness, I love him very truly," she answered, steadily. " And does he love you? " was the next question. ** He has said he does, and I believe him," she replied. ^' And what is to come of it, child? " Mevrouw Varleth exclaimed, finding herself less calm than this slim girl who neither blushed nor stammered, but 250 A Maid of Old Manhattan told of her love as of something she might well be proud of. " He cannot marry thee," the lady went on. " Neither his mother nor his father will ever consent and — " " I know," Annetje Interrupted. " We have talked of that." " And Balthazar would have thee run off to Gravesend? Is that it?" " Nay, I think he scarce meant what he said," Annetje rejoined. *' But If he did mean it?" Mevrouw Varleth in- sisted. " If there was no other way, and you saw him unhappy and you yourself were heartsick, think you not that he might persuade you? " '^ Oh, no, your Mightiness," Annetje answered, and though she spoke gently, there was a ring of decision in her voice. '' He would be sorry after a while and — and I could bear anything better than that! You need not fear, Mevrouw Varleth. I shall never wed Balthazar unless his father is glad to welcome me as a daughter." " My child," said Mevrouw Varleth, after a long pause, '* I do not think Balthazar Stuyvesant could find a better mate. 'Tis easy to see why he loves thee. I vow I love thee myself, and thou mayest always count Anna Varleth thy friend." And of a sudden she leaned toward Annetje and kissed her. CHAPTER XXIX A FINE DISH OF GOSSIP VROUW PELGROM, from a desire to avoid a subject she was in no mood to discuss, did not press for further information when An- netje announced that she had met Mevrouw Varleth upon the way home. Neither did the girl ask the reason for the great lady's visit. They talked a little of the Governor's trip to Fort Orange, whither he had gone on business concerning the Indians, but both had a deeper interest in other matters just then and they soon relapsed into a silence that was hardly broken till bedtime. Meanwhile Mevrouw Varleth found herself speculating upon what Annetje had told her and, indeed, upon all she knew of the girl. Being as- sured that she might count upon Annetje's good sense, she was minded to find some means to show her friendship. She was not a woman to make such offers lightly and she had been drawn to the girl from the first. But there seemed no ready way to break down the barriers that separated the sister of the Governor from the nameless maid Vrouw Pel- grom had taken into her household. One afternoon, a day or so later, Mevrouw Var- leth decided to take her embroidery and go to Whitehall to drink a dish of tea with her sister-in- law, Judith Stuyvesant. She was doubly related to this lady, her first husband having been Samuel Bayard, Judith's brother; but there was little in common between them, though their relations were 251 252 A Maid of Old Manhattan cordial enough. Judith Stuyvesant's household was dainty and pretty after the French fashion of the time, and the mistress herself was as little like the plain and sturdy Dutch as was the fine china that graced her table to the wooden trenchers of the Hollanders. It did not fit in at all with Mevrouw Varleth's plans to find her sister's voorhuys crowded with many guests, chattering while they drank tea out of egg-shell cups and, as the fashion was, alternating sips of the beverage with tiny bites of sugar from a piece held in the hand. The talk was all of the town's politics, which just then were much concerned with Indian affairs. The threatened English invasion was discussed laugh- ingly by the frivolous, who jeered at the possibility. " I vow they would think twice before attacking us," declared young Nicholas William Stuyvesant. " My father would make short work of them, I'll be bound." " There are too many English in the town," re- marked Mynheer Kip. " They are our most law-abiding citizens," Me- vrouw Stuyvesant said, with a little toss of her head. " His High Mightiness esteems them highly." There were many sly murmurs at this, for it was notorious that the English residents were in great favour with the old dictator, and, though their loy- alty might not reasonably be questioned by the Dutch, they had received favours that made them strong as well as unwelcome competitors in trade. " His High Mightiness is always well disposed to those who ever agree with him," pert Maria Van Cortlandt whispered to her neighbour. " Aye, no matter how arbitrary his contention," was the answer in an undertone. A Fine Dish of Gossip 253 But there were some who voiced their sentiments aloud, for it was characteristic of the people of Nieuw Amsterdam to have their say in all matters. " The English are loyal enough so long as they are given their own way and are protected from the Indians!" exclaimed a portly lady. "But how think you, madame, they would stand between a Dutch Governor and an English one? " " First on one leg and then on the other," Mademoiselle de Sille murmured under her breath, giggling as was her wont. *' There's little likelihood that they will ever be put to that test," Mevrouw Stuyvesant retorted In- differently, and turned to a servant who had just entered the room. "What Is it, Johannes?" she asked, addressing the house-man. " An it please your ladyship, there's a maid ask- ing for the young Heer Balthazar," he answered deferentially. " A maid looking for Balthazar! " cried Susanna de Laet, who sat near by. " Faith, never have I seen Balthazar look twice at a maid." Mademoiselle de Sille giggled. " Then hast thou been blind, Susanna ! " she cried. " I'll wager I can name her. Have her up, Me- vrouw Stuyvesant. I vow 'twill be Interesting to see who asks so boldly for the Heer Balthazar." " Nay, that is nonsense," Mevrouw Varleth said quickly. " 'Tis doubtless some matter that has to do with the farm. I'll see to It, Judith. You don't want a milkmaid clattering wooden shoes on your polished floor." She rolled up her embroidery as she spoke, for she guessed who this visitor might be and was not minded to bring her before such a scoff- ing throng. 254 A Maid of Old Manhattan But Judith Stuyvesant, although fond of her sister- in-law, was a little jealous of her. Mevrouw Var- leth's influence with her brother was too great in matters where the Governor would not think of con- sulting his wife, to satisfy the dainty lady's pride. But in her own house she ruled supreme and this was a good chance to assert her authority, which she was quick to seize upon. *' Nay, sit down, Anna my dear," she insisted pleasantly enough. *' We will have the girl up. I'm not minded that these famous gossips should have an opportunity to fill the town with fantastic tales of Balthazar's mysterious visitor," and she nodded to the servant. There was a buzz of excited curiosity among the company, while Mevrouw Varleth, outwardly calm, seated herself again, a little troubled and hoped against hope that her surmise concerning this visitor would prove incorrect. She could have shaken little Mademoiselle de Sille with the greatest of pleasure and perhaps under other circumstances, might not have hesitated to do so; but now she felt that fur- ther interference would only make matters worse and held her tongue; alert however to play her part when the time came. And her fears were justified. A moment or two later Annetje stood in the doorway with every eye fixed upon her. The girl was surprised to find so large a company present, but her errand was too important for her to dwell upon that. She had not considered what her reception was like to be when she determined to go to Whitehall, knowing that the necessity that brought her there was sufliclent excuse for action. She waited for the mistress of the house to speak, A Fine Dish of Gossip 255 but the first words she heard came from another source. " I've won my wager ! " Mademoiselle de Sille cried shrilly, at which there was a general titter among the other fashionables. Judith Stuyvesant looked at Annetje curiously, not knowing who she was, but conscious that there was an undercurrent of understanding among her guests. This irritated her and she spoke coldly. " You asked to see my son," she said. " Will I not do as well? " Mechanically Annetje dropped a curtsey. " Nay, Mightiness, 'tis Balthazar I must see," she replied. The name slipped out unconsciously, but caused a nudging and whispering among the gay party which increased Mevrouw Stuyvesant's annoyance. She began to wish that she had let her sister-in-law have her way about this tall, slim, peasant girl in her rough clothes. " The young Heer Stuyvesant is at the bouwerie," she announced, with a motion as if of dismissal. '' Then must I find my way there at once," Annetje murmured half to herself. '' Nay, that is quite needless," Mevrouw Stuyve- sant retorted. " On the contrary, your Mightiness," Annetje re- turned, positively but politely, " 'tis a matter of such moment to the whole Province that word must be got to him without delay." " Dear me," cried Mademoiselle de Sille with patent unbelief, " 'tis political secrets, I'll be bound. How vastly mysterious and exciting," and she ended with a derisive laugh. *' Nay, 'tis no secret," Annetje replied directly to 256 A Maid of Old Manhattan the mocking maid. ** Yet is it a waste of time to tell any save Balthazar, who is in some sort his father's deputy. Still, I may say to you that the English ships are on their way here, after all." For a moment her information was met with stolid silence, though Mevrouw Varleth stood up hastily; then some one ventured a nervous titter. " 'Tis wonderful," said a dandy, " that a mere maid should have this information before the au- thorities who have spies everywhere." " 'Tis well known that our spies were withdrawn," Annetje retorted with flashing eyes. *' But in any event I should have known before they did." " We have heard enough," Mevrouw Stuyvesant broke in angrily. *' You cannot expect us to credit what you say." '' Judith! " Mevrouw Varleth said incisively, " do you not know who this maid is? She has her infor- mation from the Indians and — " "Is that the girl!" cried Mevrouw Stuyvesant, and would have gone on, had not her sister-in-law stopped her. *' It is Annetje Pelgrom, Judith, and I am pleased to have you know that I am her good friend. I have no doubt that what she has said is entirely cor- rect, and I, for one, would like to hear more of what she has to tell us. Is it true, Annetje," she went on, addressing the girl directly, '* that English ships have been sighted? " *' Four frigates, your Mightiness," Annetje re- plied. " The Indians have just sent me word." "Oh, hoi" sneered the dandy. "She would have us shake in our shoes on the word of a redskin. 'Tis a school of fishing schooners they have seen or mayhap the Moody yacht, and, being cowards, they magnified such boats into an English fleet." " It is Annetje Pelgrom, Judith " A Fine Dish of Gossip 257 ** Aye, and had this printed as well,'* cried An- netje, thoroughly exasperated, unrolling a broad- sheet for all to see. They looked and read a proclamation offering safety and undisputed possession of their property to all people who would submit to the English rule. In a moment the assembly was on its feet amid mur- murs of consternation. ''Whence hast thou that, Annetje?" asked Me- vrouw Varleth anxiously. " It has been spread among our people on the Lange Isleland," Annetje answered. " The ships are coming slowly, but the brave said they would soon be here." " Balthazar shall be told at once," Mevrouw Var- leth assured her briskly, and then turning to her sister-in-law, " I think we all owe apologies and thanks for so prompt a warning, Judith." " Aye, doubtless." Mevrouw Stuyvesant fumbled in her velvet bag and held out a hand to the girl. Annetje unsuspectingly took it, to feel a coin pressed into her palm. ''What is this?" she exclaimed, starting back. *' You do not understand the Indians, madame. What they did was for love of me. Any attempt at payment would be an insult." " Indeed? " Judith Stuyvesant retorted. " How- ever, I meant it not for them but for you ! " The red blood flamed into Annetje's cheeks. She heard naught of Mevrouw Varleth's protests nor the murmurs of the others in the room. She looked at Balthazar's mother for an instant, then dropping the coin upon the floor, turned and left the house. Instinctively, Annetje made for the open country as she quitted Whitehall. Hardly knowing what she did, she hurried up the street, her cheeks still 258 A Maid of Old Manhattan burning and her brain in a whirl of angry resent- ment. She had gone there bent upon doing a serv- ice, and had been grossly insulted for her pains. As she went on, her thoughts came clearer, yet was her anger not cooled, for it grew more apparent to her that Mevrouw Stuyvesant had been quite de- liberate in her action. The reason for it the girl could not explain, though she asked herself " Why? Why? " again and again. She gained the open fields near the Maagde Paetje and came to herself with a start at the sound of a voice which she could not at the moment place. " Well met! " it said. " Vrouw Pelgrom vowed she knew not where you had gone, so I sought you here." Annetje turned her head and looked into the face of the young pedlar. CHAPTER XXX THE PRICE THERE was an air of sprightly assurance about the pedlar as if matters had been going well with him and he smiled confidently as he doffed his hat to Annetje. His dress was that of a common Dutch working man but his manner showed little of the humbleness that, in those days, was thought fit accompaniment to such apparel. Annetje regarded him indifferently, her mind dwelling upon her recent experience at Whitehall. ** You do not seem particularly glad to see me,'' the young man went on, quite unabashed, ^' but I warrant you will, ere you have heard me out. I have tidings that may well open your eyes." " What are your tidings? " Annetje asked coldly. She was but half aware of what she said, being still a victim of her outraged feelings. " Sit here on the stone and let me talk to you," the man replied politely. " There is much to tell." " Nay, you cannot have much to say to me," An- netje answered, her old suspicion of him returning. *' I have more important things to think about." *' Can there be anything more important than to know who you are? " he asked, quickly. Instantly Annetje's attitude toward the pedlar underwent a change. Never before had she had so Intense a desire to learn of her origin; for with that established she was sure that she would not again 259 26o A Maid of Old Manhattan be subjected to treatment such as she had received at the hands of Mevrouw Stuyvesant. A-top this thought came another. All her heartaches might be banished, for once her rightful position in the world was proven there would no longer be a bar- rier between herself and Balthazar. She never doubted that she had been born of gentle parents, and at the moment, there seemed naught that she would not do to gain proof of her birth. She sat down quickly and looked at the man who stood before her, and the expression he saw in her face evidently pleased him, for his lips widened into a smile of satisfaction. " I am impatient for you to begin," Annetje cried eagerly. "Who am I?" " We must not go too rapidly," he answered blandly. " At any rate you are not one of these stupid Dutch." " You have said that before," Annetje returned impatiently. " Now I must know why." *' My eyes told me that the moment I saw you," the pedlar rejoined. " But there were other circum- stances that led straight to the conclusion. Did it ever strike you as being peculiar that your parents were not found, even though word of your rescue from the Indians was spread wide? " ** If the news was carried only to the Holland settlements that might explain it, an I were not Dutch," Annetje replied. " I have considered that possibility many times since I first spoke with you; but it is too late to do aught after all these years." ** Might there not have been reasons for not making the inquiries too searching? " the pedlar in- sisted. " Suppose that it was to the interest of some Dutch overlord to see that you never were found?" The Price 261 "What do you mean by that?" Annetje de- manded. " Suppose, for instance/' the man suggested, " that there was a little English maid, who was the heiress of a great estate. And suppose these lands to have fallen into the hands of a Dutchman, seeing that no one came to dispute his title so long as this maid was held in ignorance of her parentage. Think you this fat burgher would shout out his knowledge from the housetops?" *' Nay, I think he would not," agreed Annetje, thoughtfully. " But she could claim the inheritance even at this late date." '* To what good purpose? " the pedlar questioned, meaningly. " There's many a twist and turn in these Dutch laws to keep a Hollander of substance safe from any claims made by a penniless English maid. Nay, these Company men hold all the land without just right. Lord Baltimore and the Earl of Stirling have prior titles to Nieuw Amsterdam itself, and if they cannot satisfy their claims in the Dutch courts think you a child would be better treated? " " If there were proof she might," Annetje replied uncertainly. "Never!" exclaimed the pedlar. "Surely you know that yourself. What care these high and mighty ones for any but their own? Nothing I You have seen. You have talked to these Stuyve- sants for instance, and how have they treated you? " "As dirt under their feet!" cried Annetje, her anger flaming up anew. " There is your proof," the pedlar murmured, surprised at her vehemence. " Those who are down will be kept down, no matter what may be their just due. 'Tis only force that will bring these Dutchmen to their senses, — but that is coming." 262 A Maid of Old Manhattan He stopped, looking at Annetje to see how she took this news, thinking, of course, that she could have no knowledge of what was In his mind. *' I know that, too," she said. *'You! What do you know?" he stammered nervously. " That four English ships of war are sailing to NIeuw Amsterdam," she replied simply. *' The Indians brought me the news today." ** Then must you keep the matter quiet," the man said hurriedly, evidently more than a little upset at this. '^ 'TIs the expedition sent out by the Duke of York, and unless all signs fail this will be an English Colony inside the week. See you what that means to the little maid I told you of? " " Nay, I do not think I do," Annetje answered, puzzled for the moment. " Once the English are In possession of the land then will that maid be given her rightful position In the world," he explained. " The thieving Dutch- man who holds her estate will be packed off and doubtless punished, and she will take back all that has been withheld from her. Think you that Is not worth working for?" *' Nay, the lands Interest me not at all," Annetje replied almost passionately. " If you have knowl- edge of me — If you know what my name is — if you can tell me who was my mother — pray speak, for 'tis that I wish to know before all else." '* There is a price to pay," the pedlar answered, deliberately. '* And 'tis to your Interest to pay It. First must we do all in our power to help the English take the town." "Why should I help the English?" asked An- netje. " Because they are your countrymen and mine," The Price 263 answered the pedlar. " Only through them will your rights be given you. Surely you owe naught to these Dutch who have treated you as a peasant, too low to associate with their Mevrouwen and Juf- frouwen. Think you I did not understand why these common girls who wash their linen in the brook complained that you were a haughty maid who thought yourself above them? Indeed you are above them, being born a gentlewoman, and when our ships have come and the Dutch are put in their places, then will you take your own and such will be your position that the Governor's lady will be glad to welcome you to her house." " What must I do? " Annetje cried, springing up. The man's words had found their echo in her heart. She was eager to be upon the way to wipe out the recent insult she had suffered. " Tell me what a maid can do? " The pedlar looked about him to make sure they were alone, then spoke in an undertone. " 'Tis naught you cannot easily accomplish if you set about it," he explained. " 'Tis a knowledge of the resources of the town we would have. What provision they have to withstand a siege? How much powder there is on hand and the number of their guns? What grain is there in the fort, and how many men can they count upon to defend the town? Bring me the answer to those questions, and right gladly will I repay in kind." "But how can I find out such things?" asked Annetje. *' I know of no one who could discover them more easily," he replied significantly. " They are doubt- lessly well known to one of your friends. A clever girl like you should have no trouble in getting the information we seek." 264 A Maid of Old Manhattan His meaning was plain enough, but Annetje, her mind set in another direction, scarce heard him. The happy prospect that the man's words opened to her filled her thoughts. With scarce more than a nod she left him, turn- ing her steps toward home In a dream, and he, watch- ing her, smiled confidently to himself, satisfied that he would get what he wanted though she had not, indeed, committed herself In any way. Nevertheless his story of the lands she would Inherit seemed to him to promise a very great reward for the service he asked of her. Meanwhile at Whitehall matters were going for- ward at a rapid rate. Annetje had scarce quitted the house when the gay company quickly melted away, anxious to spread the news, and Mevrouw Stuyvesant and her sister-in-law faced each other alone. " So that is the saucy jade who has been striving to catch my Balthazar's fancy!" cried the Gov- ernor's lady in a passion. ** Nay, Judith," answered Mevrouw Varleth, " the girl is neither a jade nor has she ever a thought of catching thy Balthazar, though I tell thee flat he would be lucky to wed her." *' I always suspected thee of having low taste, Anna," Mevrouw Stuyvesant burst out. " Thou hast ever a word for the common folk who, unless they are kept In their places, are like to make the world impossible to live in for such as we." " Let us talk no more of that," her sister-in-law replied, " except this, that I came to tell thee. The girl Annetje will ne'er trouble thee. I had it from her own lips that without Peter's consent she will never marry Balthazar. That should set thy mind at ease. Now as to this English business? " The Price 265 "Dost believe what she told thee?'* asked the Governor's lady. " Aye, I cannot do aught else. But let that rest for the time being. The other matter is most seri- ous, Judith," replied Mevrouw Varleth. *' I wish Peter were here," said Mevrouw Stuyve- sant, twisting the chains of her gold chatelaine around her dainty, pointed fingers. " He must be sent for at once," Mevrouw Var- leth announced energetically, but ere she had finished Balthazar entered the room. His mother looked at him In complete surprise, and he, misinterpreting her glance, began to protest. '* Nay, mother, thou needst not scold," he began. " I will not stay buried out at the bouwerie. If I cannot remain here I'll find a lodging of my own." " Indeed we are most glad to see thee, Balthazar,'* his aunt cried. " Aye, indeed we are," his mother echoed. " I would rather you were here to receive your curious visitors. That girl came into my drawing-room de- manding you by name. 'Twas most embarrassing, I do assure you." '' You mean Annetje was here? " demanded Bal- thazar, looking from one to the other of the women. " Aye," replied his aunt. " She came here with a good purpose and thy mother herself invited her Into the voorhuys. The English fleet are on the way after all. She had word of It from her Indians and ran straight here to give warning. Here is the proclamation these rascally Britishers are putting out among our people," and she handed him the broad- sheet Annetje had left behind her. Balthazar needed but a glance at the printed page to get Its meaning and then, like his aunt, he was ready to act. 266 A Maid of Old Manhattan " Our fastest sloop must be sent at once for my father," he announced, turning to the door. *' We have scant time to do aught but parley with the Eng- lish, or I am greatly mistaken. Still must we take what measures are possible, though 'tis too late now to put ourselves in any real state of defence." "Dost thou really believe that it Is serious?" asked his mother. " Our assurances from Holland were quite explicit that the expedition was a peaceful one." " Aye, and in consequence we have wasted three weeks in which we might have prepared against attack," Balthazar answered. '* What Is to be done I do not know, unless it be to treat with the English and secure as good terms as we can get." The instant danger threatened Mevrouw Stuyve- sant became a wholly different woman. She lacked not force and power in spite of her dainty French ways and she was not one to shirk a duty nor tremble in the face of an enemy. " For shame, Balthazar I " she cried. " Art thou a son of Peter Stuyvesant and talk of naught but treating with these British robbers? For shame 1 Right well thou shouldst know thy father will die ere he will give up the city to them. Let me hear no more of such talk," and she swept out of the room to prepare a dispatch for her husband. Balthazar shrugged his shoulders and turned to his aunt. *' 'Tis all very well to talk boldly, but I cannot shut my eyes to the facts. Aunt Anna," he said bit- terly. '* Nevertheless we must do all that we can, and I will not loiter here. Wilt thou lend me thy negroes, for I shall start storing grain ere my father's arrival? There will be little enough if we are to stand a siege." The Price 267 His aunt nodded In answer, and turning on his heel he left the room hurriedly, to carry out such measures of preparation as were possible. Mevrouw Varleth looked thoughtfully out of the window for a few moments. Then she rang the bell for the servants to come and clear the room. British or no British, she was a Dutch housewife and liked not to see soiled cups standing about. Late In the afternoon of that same day Balthazar visited the cottage on the Marckveldt Steegie and found two silent people within. Annetje upon her return from seeing the pedlar had said not a word to Vrouw Pelgrom, and the fat dame had tried in vain to coax some Information out of her. The girl kept going over and over in her mind her experiences of the past few hours, but all became insignificant beside the one important fact that the information she sought about herself was now within reach. Doubtless because she had once been mistaken in her judgment of the pedlar, she no longer questioned his honesty and was sure he could give her the information she most wanted. '* I have but to tell him how many men there are, how much powder there is and what quantity of food is on hand against a siege." This thought took possession of her and she kept repeating the words over and over in her mind. She did not consider how she was to obtain these facts. They were necessary If she was to learn her name and circum- stances in the world, and she could not stop to take account of the difficulties. Nor had she as yet contemplated the consequences of furnishing this information to the English who were about to attack the town. The Hollanders she knew and was one of them In all her ways, no matter what her blood might be. She had the same preju- 268 A Maid of Old Manhattan dices against the British that all of her neighbours harboured, and looked upon the threatening invaders as ill-mannered foreigners. The inheritance which the pedlar had plainly hinted would come to her in the event of a change of Government weighed not a grain in her decision. It was the treatment she had received from Mev- rouw Stuyvesant which still stung her to the heart, and the longing she had always had to know her parentage was but intensified by the day's experience. Who was she? The answer to that question was all she asked, and the means to that end seemed in sight. Balthazar she greeted shyly, though she was in- deed glad to see him. She had never seen him with his mother and did not connect him with her recent rude treatment. *' I hope you have missed me," he said, as he took her hand. *' I have been cooped up in that dismal bouwerie and was never so lonesome in my life." *' We wondered where you were, didn't we, An- netje?" Vrouw Pelgrom answered for them both. Having laid Annetje's low spirits to his absence, she was genuinely rejoiced to see the lad and made no secret of it. *' I only came for a minute," he went on. " This news you brought us, Annetje, has greatly upset the town, and my father, being at Fort Orange every- thing is at sixes and sevens." *' Now what is this news you talk of? " demanded Vrouw Pelgrom. Balthazar told her forthwith and there was a fine explosion. " And do you mean me to believe," she ended, " that the assurance we had from our great Com- pany about this English expedition was false? " The Price 269 " It would seem so," replied Balthazar, nigh as excited as she. " And what we shall do I cannot think." " Oh, your father will send them to the right about fast enough," Vrouw Pelgrom assured him confi- dently. *' The Director General is a fine soldier and—" " Aye, that may be," Balthazar answered, " but he has but a handful of men at his call. Scarce four hundred to be exact. And remember too, there are many EngHsh in the town, and you may say what they will do as well as I." '* Aye, aye ! I have always thought we harboured too many malignant foreigners. But we have the Fort," Vrouw Pelgrom suggested. " We have — and it is built only for defence against the Indians. Moreover there is no food in it," Balthazar replied. *' Had we gone on with our preparations three weeks since, all might have been well. At least we should have had a chance. But now we are at their mercy. We have twenty old guns on the fort and what food we can put into it before the British arrive. As to powder, there are some six hundred pounds, a mere nothing if it comes to a battle. I greatly fear there is naught for us — " So far Annetje heard and then, suddenly realized that here was the information she sought, given to her without the asking. A feeling of gladness came over her, only to be followed in a moment by the realization of how she had acquired this knowledge and a glimpse of the consequences. Was it because Balthazar was her friend the pedlar had come to her to get these facts ? On the instant her conscience revolted and she cried out to him: " Stop, Balthazar I You must not tell these things to me 1 " 270 A Maid of Old Manhattan ** Why not?" he asked, surprised at her vehe- mence. *' There are reasons a-plenty that this information should not be noised abroad." " Aye, there I agree; but you and Vrouw Pelgrom v/ill scarce run to the English with the news that we are ill-prepared to receive them." Balthazar smiled at the thought. '' You can surely trust us, Heer Balthazar," Vrouw Pelgrom put in. " Annetje is no gossip and I am too fat to go about the town, so that my long tongue is no menace." '' Of course I trust you," Balthazar said earnestly, gazing into Annetje's eyes as he spoke. A moment later he was gone, to play his part in doing all that was possible to make the town secure against the threatened attack. Vrouw Pelgrom talked volubly for a time, but meeting scant response went off to bed in something of a huff. In the darkness Annetje lay wide-eyed. " He trusts me. He trusts me! " she murmured, over and over to herself and the Ratel Wacht had called the hour many times ere she finally went to sleep. CHAPTER XXXI THE ENGLISH ARRIVE IF, In the town of Nieuw Amsterdam, there were any who doubted the coming of the English their hopes were shattered when, upon a Friday morning, four warships flying the cross of St. George anchored in the Narrows. Three days before Governor Stuyvesant had ar- rived in hot haste from Fort Orange and set all to work upon necessary tasks. The palisades and the Fort were the main defences to be put In readiness, but the feeding of the people was a matter of no less importance and the old Director General put all the slaves he could muster to grinding corn night and day, to be stored against the threatened attack. Rumours in plenty buzzed among the people, and already the timid talked of giving up the city without resistance, but they reckoned without their Head- strong Peter who drove them ruthlessly and listened to no advice that even hinted of aught but battle to the end. *' Are you ready to hand over your homes and your lands to these British robbers?" he cried to those who talked of parleys. ** Their proclamations guarantee not to disturb us in the possession of our property," was the answer. '' And I have no faith In their proclamations," the Director General retorted. " Is not our name 271 272 A Maid of Old Manhattan for a swindle, ' an English bargain? ' " and In the fear that indeed he might be right, and that they would lose all they had in the world, the Dutch for a time, kept feverishly at their labours, while their wooden-legged master stumped about the town, giv- ing his orders right and left in a voice that boded ill for any who opposed him. Annetje, during this period, had been maintaining a fierce struggle with herself. Balthazar she scarce saw, for she went abroad as little as possible and Vrouw Pelgrom, noting her reluctance to leave the house, forbore to send her upon errands that could be avoided. Yet it was In truth the pedlar who kept her within- doors. No sooner did she appear upon the streets than he was at her side, asking for her news; at which she always shook her head, saying that she had no information for him. *' Nor are you like to get it If you seek it not? " he blustered, and when she answered nothing, grew angry and told her flatly she need never hope to find out who she was unless she acted quickly, for he was in a fair way to learn what he wanted without her help. Thus It came about that the gossip of the town was brought to the cottage in the Marckvelt Steegie by Madaleen Wittsen, glad to recount the events that grew in importance from day to day, to old Vrouw Pelgrom, who wisely predicted the fall of the town or the defeat of the English in accordance with the rumours that were brought to her. But in truth there was little encouragement for the hope that the Dutch would be able to defend their city and each hour that passed brought more and more of the burghers to that way of thinking. Their chief anxiety was for the terms the British The English Arrive 273 would offer, and the excitement became intense when a company of gentlemen, sent by Colonel Richard Nicholls who commanded the expedition, landed one Saturday morning under a flag of truce. They came with a formal summons for the surrender of the town in the name of Charles II, but promised to confirm to every man who submitted to the King's authority his Hfe, liberty and estate. The Director General, little minded to do aught but fight, summoned the council to discuss these con- ditions but although many of the burghermeesters and schepens were ready to accept them then and there, he said roundly that he was determined to defend his post and refused to let the people know what the English offered. The work went on as before, but the murmurs grew louder and louder and 'twas soon necessary for the old dictator to go him- self to the Stadthuys and confront a mass meeting that threatened to act without his consent. '* Let us see the terms and conditions the English offer? " they cried, and though he stormed at them, rating them roundly for cowards, yet was he in the end forced to do their bidding, and produce the de- sired document. Meanwhile, Stuyvesant to gain time, had sent his council to argue the matter with Colonel Nicholls, for there was much legal ground for dispute against the English claim, yet these Ambassadors returned with naught to encourage further resistance. *' What said he? " demanded Stuyvesant. *' That on Tuesday he would speak to us on Man- hattan Island," was the answer. " Didst tell him we should welcome friendly inter- course? " asked the Governor. " Aye, but he told us flatly that he would come with ships and soldiers and that it would be a bold 274 A Maid of Old Manhattan messenger who would venture aboard his vessels to solicit terms," was the rejoinder. *' That leaves us naught to do but fight," cried Stuyvesant, rejoicing that the English were forcing his rebellious people to take the line he most desired. *' We shall try to be ready for him." " Nay," answered Burghermeester Van Cortlandt, '* there was a further message. NichoUs told us that if we should hoist the white flag of peace at the fort he would take something Into consideration." " Did he so ! " shouted Stuyvesant, angrily. " Never will he see that white flag raised while I am alive! " " Then wilt thou defend it by thyself," Steenwyck asserted. " Of what use is it, your High Mighti- ness, to have the town bombarded, when the end is certain? We cannot defend it adequately. We have neither the men nor the powder." '' But the English do not know that," the Gov- ernor roared back. " If we keep a stiff front they will think twice ere they attack, believing we are better prepared than we are. And let me gain but a week more and we shall be prepared." There was a stormy session, and again the people came shouting for surrender; but the stouthearted old Governor budged not an inch and drove the men to work upon the defences. To all he showed an uncompromising front. His courage heartened some and shamed others, and for a time none dared to defy him openly. But on the morning of September fifth any hope that there might be a way found to avoid a battle and still save the province to the Dutch was ended. Up the Narrows came the English fleet under full sail and anchored between the Fort and Nutten Island. There was little doubt now of the outcome. The English Arrive 275 English soldiers had gathered from Connecticut, and it was believed that six hundred savages had rein- forced this company, so that the town was be- leaguered on the land side, while on both rivers Nicholls' fleet with cleared decks guarded all ap- proaches, ready to bombard the encircled city. Outside the Fort the people clamoured for peace and surrender; but Inside, in one of the angles of the bastion was the Governor and nearby a gunner with a burning match, awaiting his orders to fire upon the hostile vessels. With him was de SlUe and the Dominie Megapolensis and both were urging to their utmost the uselessness of giving battle. " 'Tis a matter of desperation rather than sol- diership to try to hold the fort," the Vice-Governor pleaded. " Nay, an we face them boldly they will draw off," Stuyvesant replied stubbornly. " They little know how ill-prepared we are." " 'Twould be strange an they did not," de Sllle replied. " There are English enough in the town to give the information." " But even they do not know It," the Governor Insisted. " They may not be exactly informed — " de Sille began, but the Governor interrupted him curtly. He had made up his mind to fight, and clung desper- ately to his one argument in favour of giving battle. " Will naught prevail upon your High Mighti- ness? " asked the Dominie. " Nay, I must act in obedience to my orders from the Company," replied Stuyvesant. " But it is madness I " the Dominie Insisted, lay- ing his hand lovingly on the other's shoulder. '' Do you not see that there Is no help either to the north or to the south, to the east or to the west? What 276 A Maid of Old Manhattan will our twenty guns do in the face of the sixty-two which are pointed toward us on yonder frigates? Pray do not be the first to shed blood." Ere the Governor could answer, a paper was thrust into his hand and his face went red with anger. It was a petition signed by ninety-three of the principal citizens, including burghermeesters and schepens urging him to spare the city. He read it through, but he had little thought for any but one name on the list. " So ! " he roared. ** My son Is one of these cow- ards! " For indeed Balthazar had signed with the others. " I had rather be carried to my grave than grant it." The argument waxed hot, those about him beg- ging him to submit to the inevitable, but still he maintained that the English were without accurate knowledge of the true state of affairs. Then as he talked another voice broke in upon the discussion. "Your High Mightiness!" cried Annetje, run- ning forward to where he stood. " A spy Is even now signalling to the British. He Is telling them how ill-prepared we are. Look, your High Might- iness. Watch the sails of the windmill," and she pointed to the east. All upon the fort gazed in the direction she Indi- cated, and sure enough the long arms of the wind- mill made strange motions not directed by the wind, to which one of the ships returned an answering signal. '' What Is the meaning of this, child? " demanded the Governor, turning to Annetje. " 'TIs the work of a spy, your High Mightiness," she answered. " He has pretended to be a pedlar and came to Vrouw Pelgrom for her wares. Then he tried to bribe me to give him news that would The English Arrive 277 help the English. I refused, and today, while I was upon an errand he boasted that he knew we had but four hundred men and six hundred pounds of powder. Then I came with all speed to warn your High Mightiness." For an instant there was a profound silence as all in the little group watched the Governor, knovv^Ing something of the struggle that was going on within him. His last excuse for not hoisting the white flag was gone and he stood alone, deserted by his friends, threatened by his enemies, a strong man beaten by circumstances which he had tried hard to anticipate. 'Twas no fault of his if they were Ill- prepared, and there were excuses in plenty for his surrendering a province his great West India Com- pany in Holland had treated with shameful Indif- ference; but he was a soldier and, come what might, he was ever ready to stand fearlessly at his post. For himself he would gladly have died there, but he was by no means indifferent to the suffering of others. His people and their affairs were dear to his heart even when he ranted at them, and now he could not but see that to resist longer Invited a useless sacrifice. He tossed his head as a spirited horse flings back Its mane and gave the order that was to save the town. " Run up the white flag! " he cried, and then to the group of soldiers near, " Go fetch me that man who signalled from the windmill. Waste no time upon the way but bring him to the council chamber In the Governor's House forthwith. I like not spies and there Is yet time to deal with this one." He watched a moment to see that his commands were carried out, listening to the cheers that came up from the town, glanced at the fluttering white 278 A Maid of Old Manhattan flag on a pole nearby and then, averting his gaze as if he could not bear to look at it, he walked un- falteringly away. Annetje followed him in his slow walk to the house. Should the pedlar be seized she saw a way to force the knowledge she longed to have out of him remembering that the Governor had promised his friendship and acknowledged he owed her a debt. Here was his chance to repay it. She lacked not the courage to ask, and went straight to the council chamber in the wake of the man who in a little must give up his splendid titles and be known as plain Peter Stuyvesant. CHAPTER XXXII A NEW NAME FOR AN OLD TOWN THE Governor's House within the Fort was deserted when Annetje reached it. Great Stuyvesant's own halberdiers had forgotten their duty and were rejoicing with the people out- side, so there was a strange quiet in the empty man- sion. The girl paused at the threshold a moment and heard the sharp thud of the Governor's wooden leg as he crossed the hall and the scrape of the chair as he seated himself. Then she pushed open the door and went in. Stuyvesant looked up, scowling as she entered the room but, recognizing her, his face softened. " Thy news was none too welcome, child," he said in a low tone. '' I had rather died sword in hand, than play the poltroon as I have this day." " Nay, your High Mightiness," Annetje answered boldly, " none dare call you poltroon, now or ever! " He eyed her a moment and for the first time the girl realized that he was indeed an old man. So active had he been in the life of the town, so untiring his energy, that 'twas scarce believable that he was past seventy years old; but now, in this moment of his bitter disappointment, his fierce energy relaxed, his stern countenance took on a gentler expression and 'twas plain that his age had at last begun to tell upon his uncompromising spirit. " At least there is still one in the city who has a 279 28o A Maid of Old Manhattan good word for Peter Stuyvesant," he said, half to himself. " Thou hast a sensitive nature, child. I would that we could establish thy name and condi- tion." " 'Tis on that account that I am here, your High Mightiness," Annetje answered. '* This same spy you have sent for claims that he knows who my parents are. I beg if he is found, you will spare him In return for that secret." '' Aye, right willingly will I do that," he answered heartily, '' but I warn you, count not too much upon the word of a spy. Didst thou not hint he held out this news as a bait for information he would have?" *' That he did, your High Mightiness," Annetje replied, " and at first I was minded not to believe him. But now I have reason to think that he knows something, for why else would he have made a journey to question the Indians about me? He has some knowledge, your High Mightiness, of that I am convinced." " Then will we have It out of him ! " declared the Governor with a flash of his accustomed energy, and as he spoke there was a sound of scuffling outside. A moment later the door was flung open and two soldiers, with the pedlar between them, burst into the room. At first the young man did not see Annetje and began a hot protest at his treatment. *' Your High Mightiness! " he cried, as soon as he had come to a standstill before the Governor, " this Is not the way to treat a peaceful citizen. I was doing naught when these men seized me as if I were a criminal. I beg your High Mightiness to bid them release me." Stuyvesant turned to Annetje as if to ask whether A New Name for an Old Town 281 or no this was the man, but the pedlar, looking in the same direction, saw the girl and his face grew grey with apprehension. '' He is a spy, your High Mightiness," Annetje announced calmly. " And now you will never learn who your parents are ! " the young man cried vindictively. " Will she not ! " shouted Stuyvesant. " Let me tell you, fellow," he went on furiously, *' I'm still Governor enough to have you hanged ere the hour is passed. This maid has come here, asking for your life in exchange for information you have to give. Tell the truth about her, for, as I am a living man, 'tis your only chance ! Speak out ! I am not minded to be kept waiting by such as you." Like a trapped animal the man looked about him for a way of escape, but seeing none his courage dropped from him and he whined for mercy. " I'll tell all I know, your High Mightiness, an you will spare me," he whimpered. " Speak then, for my patience is nigh its end," commanded the Governor, and the pedlar forthwith began his story. " I was always a ne'er-do-well, your High Mighti- ness, and about two years ago I met a man they called Big Pierre, a boschloper, though French. We were in some sort friends, and upon a day in the woods a falling tree crushed him, and he told me a secret which he declared was worth much money. It seems that he was employed upon a sugar estate in the Indies when a fever broke out upon the island. The owner of the plantation and his wife, fearing for their infant daughter, decided to send the child to its grandparents in France. This Big Pierre, having had the small-pox was sent with the baby and the negro nurse, being paid a 282 A Maid of Old Manhattan good sum to attend them. The vessel upon which they sailed, steered first for this port, meaning to exchange its cargo of sugar for furs ere It headed for France; but being encompassed by a storm, the ship foundered and nigh all of the company were lost. Pierre, however, succeeded In rescuing his charges and brought them unharmed to a lonely, uninhabited shore from which they set out to find a settlement. " Having no compass they soon lost their way. Pierre quarrelled with the other survivors, and very shortly found himself with only the nurse and child In the deep forests in dire peril of their lives. " They wandered for days, feeding on berries and animals he succeeded In shooting ere his powder and ball gave out, but at length the coloured woman died and Pierre, certain that the baby could survive but a few hours, went on by himself, nigh crazed by hunger and fatigue. By great good luck he reached Fort Orange and was saved. " Here he stayed for several years trading with the Indians and Dutch until finally he had word of a mysterious child held by the Algonkins to the north. From the tales that filtered down to him he became convinced that this must be the child he had abandoned, and, in fear lest his cowardice should be discovered, he left Fort Orange. But he had a conscience and always, he told me, he dreamed of that little babe lying in the black woman's arms. That Is all the tale, your High Mightiness, that Pierre knew. I asked him of what rank were the parents of the child and he vowed they were gentle folk, very rich, who would give a fine reward for the recovery of their lost daughter. " Some time later I chanced to hear the story of Jan Virrhagc and the child he brought back with him A New Name for an Old Town 283 from the Indians, and seeing that a trip to NIeuw Amsterdam fitted in with my plans, I came here about a year ago and found this girl Annetje. I made inquiries and am convinced that she is the babe Pierre abandoned In the woods. 'Twas in my mind to marry her, your High Mightiness, seeing that she was like to have a fine estate; but I could gather no proof upon which to base a valid claim. The Indians found naught by which she could be identi- fied, and though I am morally certain that she is Annette de Marsette — " "Annette de Marsette!" cried the girl. "Is that Indeed my name? " " Aye," answered the pedlar, " at least that was the name of the little child who was lost in the woods. But proof of it there is none. I have searched up and down the land to no purpose." " But at least I have a name," Annetje said ex- ultingly. " You know, your High Mightiness, the Indians called me Annet and my Indian mother told me 'twas a name I gave myself. It must be that I am that poor baby." The Governor sat thoughtfully for a moment and then, suddenly, as if for the time he had forgotten the man, he looked at the pedlar. "Away!" he cried. "I spare your life, which indeed is not worth the taking. Begone ere I change my mind." The pedlar did not need to be told twice. In an instant Stuyvesant and Annetje were alone in the room. " My child," began the Governor, after a time, " 'tis my duty to warn thee not to place too much confidence in this tale we have just heard. I do not trust the man overmuch, indeed his story is scarce credible, though I think he believes It; otherwise I 284 A Maid of Old Manhattan would have hanged him as he deserves. But thou must see that, lacking proof of any sort, thou canst lay no claim even to the name of de Marsette." " But your High Mightiness," protested Annetje, " 'tis proved that I was found in the arms of a negro nurse and — " '^ Aye, and thou mightst have been the daughter of a Dutch burgher who had slaves a-plenty to care for his children," Stuyvesant answered, " Or what is more likely, thy parents were members of one of the English colonies to the south and thou and thy nurse were driven into the woods during an Indian raid. There may be fifty ways to explain the circumstances, yet I owe thee a service and to that end I shall set on foot certain inquiries which will, let us hope, bring us a truer knowledge. But it will need time and meanwhile, I warn thee, take not the matter too much to heart nor spread the news abroad, lest later thou shouldst be forced to con- tradict it." Annetje heard this with a sinking spirit. Then, of a sudden she remembered the treatment she had received at the hands of Mevrouw Stuyvesant and thought she saw a motive behind the Governor's discouraging view of the situation. " Your High Mightiness," she said, " is it because of Balthazar that you would have me still remain a nameless waif? " "Balthazar!" he cried angrily. "Hal I had forgotten him ! Nay, child, an thou wert a princess I would not let thee marry the lad. He is not a fit mate for thee, being doubly a coward in that he has been taught better. I am glad thou hast re- minded me of him. Leave me now, for his case has to be dealt with at once, and of thy matters I will speak to thee again." A New Name for an Old Town 285 He had risen from his chair, all the old energy returned, and Annetje left him at the door, where he stood shouting lustily for some one to come and take his orders. Later that day Vrouw Pelgrom, standing at the window of the cottage, gave a cry of dismay, as she looked out toward the bay. " Annetje," she called, In a distressed tone. " Come here, child, and tell me if my old eyes have lost their cunning? " The girl ran to her and the portly dame pointed to the flag flying on the staff above the Fort. "What seest thou, Annetje?" she demanded. '' Surely they are not our colours." " Nay, 'tis the cross of St. George," Annetje an- swered. " We are English now." At that moment Madaleen Wittsen tore through the gate. *' What thinkest thou they have done?" she panted as she reached them. " They have changed the name of the city. 'Tis no longer Nieuw Amster- dam but Nieuw York! " " Then 'tis no city for me," declared Vrouw Pel- grom. " If Hard-koppig Piet is no longer to rule this province then indeed must I seek another home." And with that she went indoors shaking her head sadly. CHAPTER XXXIII TWO LETTERS EARLY upon the following day an oldish-look- ing man came to the door of the cottage and pulling his forelock, sailor fashion, handed a letter to Annetje. She opened it hastily and read as follows: '' Annetje dear: *' When this reaches thy hand I shall be upon my way to the Indies whither I am sent by my father who, in anger at my having signed the peti- tion, has had me placed under guard upon this vessel till she sails. Save that I cannot say farewell to thee, I am content, having long made up my mind to seek my own fortune in the world. That done I shall have the right to claim thee, nor need seek permission from any one. But O Annetje, wilt thou wait for me? My heart misgives me, for I love thee greatly, and am sore beset with doubts, not of thy constancy, but of mine own unworthiness. I cannot send thee further word. The man waits who will deliver this and the tide is already at the flood. Farewell, Annetje, my heart's heart. God keep thee, and speed the day when I shall return to thee. '' Balthazar." Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at the man before her. '' Has the ship sailed? " she asked. 286 Two Letters 287 *' Aye, Melsje," he answered. " A half hour before the sun was up. She's well to sea by this." ^' I thank you for bringing me the letter," she faltered. " It scarce seems like good tidings," the man mur- mured sympathetically. " 'Tis always goin' and comin' In this world, but 'tis a sorry sight to see the young sad." " Nay, I am not really sad," replied Annetje, smiling through her tears. "Was the news none so bad then?" the man questioned cheerfully. " Nay, it was none so bad," she agreed, smiling back. " 'Tis good news to hear thee say that," he went on. " I have no liking to be the bearer of sorry messages. Good luck to thee, Meisje. 'Tis brave to see thee smile through thy tears," and pulling his lock again he went down the path. " Vrouw Pelgrom," Annetje said as she went into the house, " how wouldst thou like to make thy home in the Indies? " " I know naught of them, child," the dame an- swered, " but I care little where I go, so be it is Dutch. I have no love for the English and doubt not this colony will disappear under their rule. What made thee think of the Indies? " " Balthazar has gone there," she owned with a little blush. *' Is that It? " cried the dame. *' Nay," Annetje explained soberly, " 'tis not wholly on that account. I have other reasons for desiring to visit them. It may be that I was born in one of those islands." '* I warrant Balthazar cares not a scrap where thou wert born," the dame avowed. 288 A Maid of Old Manhattan " But I do," Annetje insisted positively. '' There can be naught 'twixt us till that is settled." She gave the letter to Vrouw Pelgrom who read it through with moist eyes. " He will come back for thee, Annetje," she said at the end. " Thou wilt wait? " " Aye, but 'twill be no different then," the girl answered. " I will still be nameless, and whatever happens I do not mean that, through me, he shall be estranged from his family. He will be a Stuyve- sant, whether or no he makes his way in the world." "Thou hast the pride of a princess!" declared Vrouw Pelgrom irritably. " Nay, 'tis not pride," Annetje declared. " 'Tis naught else! " " Then 'tis a proper pride," and Annetje ended the controversy for the moment. In the afternoon a message from the Governor brought word that her presence was desired im- mediately at the Stadhuys and Annetje hurried to obey, trying to imagine the cause of this early sum- mons. It was too soon for him to have set any inquiry a-foot and she could think of naught that the Governor would wish to say to her, yet there was a vague fear in her heart. So many disappoint- ments had come to her that she trembled lest an- other threatened; and she wracked her brains to find from what source it might be expected. The Stadthuys was the centre of a busy throng of all sorts of people. The newly arrived English officers of the Commission were most prominent and she caught a glimpse of Colonel Nicholls, sur- rounded by his staff and thought him a fine looking man. But she had little interest in these things, being Intent upon finding the man she still thought of as Governor and, after a slight delay, found her- Two Letters 289 self before him In a small room which he now used as a private office. " Your High Mightiness sent for me? " she asked, as she stood before his desk. " Aye, my child," he said, nodding, as he picked up a sheet from among the loose papers and handed it to her. " Hast ever seen anything resembling that?" Annetje found herself looking at a lozenge-shaped drawing the design of which was, indeed, very fa- miliar to her. " Why, yes, your High Mightiness," she replied at once. " 'Tis the same marking that is upon my doeskin suits." " I would know more of that," he said shortly, and Annetje told him of the beaded figures worked upon the little garments, growing somewhat excited as she recounted the tale. " Didst ever hear this savage woman say where she had seen the pattern of the figures she embroid- ered?" asked the Governor. *' Aye, your High Mightiness. 'Twas upon the baby clothes I wore when they found me. My Indian mother cut it out and sewed it between the inner and outer skins of my first suit, thinking that it would please the Great Spirit." *' And who can say that it has not? " cried Stuyve- sant solemnly. " My child, thou art Annette de Marsette, as the pedlar spy told us. There Is left no doubt of it. I have here a letter from thy grand- father. The English ships brought good news for thee at least." " Is it really true! " cried Annetje, almost over- come. " Have I really a grandfather. Oh, your High Mightiness, I pray you tell me all about it." " 'Tis a curious story," began the Governor, pick- 290 A Maid of Old Manhattan ing up a closely written letter. " Thy grandfather is a rich man, I take it, and of an honourable family. Thou wert indeed sent to France but as we know, never arrived there. Both thy parents died of the plague that came to the island and not till nigh a twelvemonth later did thy family in France know of thy disappearance. They took steps at once to find thee, but without result. Thy grandfather, Georges de Marsette, exhausting all efforts toward thy recovery, mourned thee for lost till within the year a strange circumstance occurred. Listen, I will read a part of his letter to thee. " * Your Excellency will, I doubt not, see in what I am to write now, the hand of our Father in Heaven and this leads me to hope that the little maid I had given up as lost may still be in the land of the living. Otherwise it were hard to believe that these things should happen. I was summoned not long ago to the house of a friend who is something of an anti- quary. Upon a recent visit to England he had bought a suit of skins fabricated by the Indians of your noble country, to add to his collection. Some repairs being necessary against the ravages of the moth, the seams of the small suit were ripped and to his surprise, a tiny piece of fine linen was found secreted therein. Upon looking closely at this bit of stray cloth he was amazed to find embroidered thereon the quarterings of my coat of arms in lozenge; a drawing of which I am sending to you. On his attention being called to it, he discovered that, in the bead work also this same design was cunningly inserted. Your Excellency may well imagine the hope this discovery awakened in my breast. Were I not a feeble old man, destined to depart this life shortly, I should have come in person, but so convinced am I of her safety since finding this Two Letters 291 evidence of my lost granddaughter (for who can doubt that 'twas from her dainty clothing this piece of linen was clipped), that I wait here in the calm assurance that God will give her back to me. The help your Excellency will extend — ' " The rest is a polite appeal for my aid," Stuyve- sant remarked, breaking off the letter. " For thy sake, as well as thy grandfather's, I am glad to be the means of bringing thee together." " I do not know what to say, your High Mighti- ness," Annetje faltered. " 'Tis hard to realize that at last I have found some of my own kin upon the earth." *' That realization will soon come, child," Stuyve- sant assured her. " Meanwhile make thy plans for a journey to the West Indies and I'll see that the next vessel out is fitted for thy accommodation." " To the West Indies! " Annetje exclaimed, open eyed. " Why, that is where Balthazar has gone." " Aye, to be sure," replied the Governor. " I grant you I was a trifle hasty in sending him off, but I hope his being there will not prevent your going."^ " It is to my grandfather I must go, your High Mightiness," Annetje stammered. "Why, to be sure, again!" laughed the Gov- ernor. " Did I not tell thee that thy grandfather is in the Indies overseeing thy plantation? " " Nay, your High Mightiness, I thought he was in France," said Annetje, and then she saw a twinkle in the stern old eyes and laughed. " I think your High Mightiness is trying to plague me a little." " Nay, Mademoiselle Annetje," he answered with a formal bow. " I should not dare to plague your ladyship," then, getting up, he came to her side. *' My child," he went on gently, '' thou hast grown 292 A Maid of Old Manhattan up under my eye since thou earnest to this city. More than once I have wished that thou hadst been born my daughter, for I have loved thee for thy brave spirit and good sense. But since that could not be, I am glad that my son has chosen thee and that naught now prevents your union. Balthazar does not deserve thee, but I shall be glad if thou wilt consent to be a daughter to Peter Stuyvesant" Annetje, too happy to speak, nodded her head, and the old Dictator, a gentle smile upon his stern face, for the second time in her life, kissed the girl upon the forehead. THE END PniKTlTT) IN THE tTXITED 8TATBS OF AMERICA THE following pages contain advertisements of books by the same author or on kindred subjects. BY THE SAME AUTHOR Polly Trotter, Patriot By ALDEN a. KNIPE AND EMILY BENSON KNIPE With Illustrations by Mrs. Knipe. . 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