For there is a sense in whilk I may be
nearly almost said to be his correspondent. The fact is, we are
employed thegether in a business affair, and I think it's like to
turn out a dear affair for Sandie Sprott. The man's as guid's my
pairtner, and I give ye my mere word I ken naething by where he is.
He micht be coming here to Helvoet; he micht come here the morn, he
michtnae come for a twalmouth; I would wonder at naething--or just
at the ae thing, and that's if he was to pay me my siller. Ye see
what way I stand with it; and it's clear I'm no very likely to
meddle up with the young leddy, as ye ca' her. She cannae stop
here, that's ae thing certain sure. Dod, sir, I'm a lone man! If
I was to tak her in, its highly possible the hellicat would try and
gar me marry her when he turned up."
"Enough of this talk," said I. "I will take the young leddy among
better friends. Give me, pen, ink, and paper, and I will leave
here for James More the address of my correspondent in Leyden. He
can inquire from me where he is to seek his daughter."
This word I wrote and sealed; which while I was doing, Sprott of
his own motion made a welcome offer, to charge himself with Miss
Drummond's mails, and even send a porter for them to the inn. I
advanced him to that effect a dollar or two to be a cover, and he
gave me an acknowledgment in writing of the sum.
Whereupon (I giving my arm to Catriona) we left the house of this
unpalatable rascal. She had said no word throughout, leaving me to
judge and speak in her place; I, upon my side, had been careful not
to embarrass her by a glance; and even now, although my heart still
glowed inside of me with shame and anger, I made it my affair to
seem quite easy.
"Now," said I, "let us get back to yon same inn where they can
speak the French, have a piece of dinner, and inquire for
conveyances to Rotterdam. I will never be easy till I have you
safe again in the hands of Mrs. Gebbie."
"I suppose it will have to be," said Catriona, "though whoever will
be pleased, I do not think it will be her. And I will remind you
this once again that I have but one shilling, and three baubees."
"And just this once again," said I, "I will remind you it was a
blessing that I came alongst with you."
"What else would I be thinking all this time?" says she, and I
thought weighed a little on my arm. "It is you that are the good
friend to me."
CHAPTER XXIII--TRAVELS IN HOLLAND
The rattel-waggon, which is a kind of a long waggon set with
benches, carried us in four hours of travel to the great city of
Rotterdam. It was long past dark by then, but the streets were
pretty brightly lighted and thronged with wild-like, outlandish
characters--bearded Hebrews, black men, and the hordes of
courtesans, most indecently adorned with finery and stopping seamen
by their very sleeves; the clash of talk about us made our heads to
whirl; and what was the most unexpected of all, we appeared to be
no more struck with all these foreigners than they with us. I made
the best face I could, for the lass's sake and my own credit; but
the truth is I felt like a lost sheep, and my heart beat in my
bosom with anxiety. Once or twice I inquired after the harbour or
the berth of the ship Rose: but either fell on some who spoke only
Hollands, or my own French failed me. Trying a street at a
venture, I came upon a lane of lighted houses, the doors and
windows thronged with wauf-like painted women; these jostled and
mocked upon us as we passed, and I was thankful we had nothing of
their language. A little after we issued forth upon an open place
along the harbour.
"We shall be doing now," cries I, as soon as I spied masts. "Let
us walk here by the harbour. We are sure to meet some that has the
English, and at the best of it we may light upon that very ship."
We did the next best, as happened; for, about nine of the evening,
whom should we walk into the arms of but Captain Sang? He told us
they had made their run in the most incredible brief time, the wind
holding strong till they reached port; by which means his
passengers were all gone already on their further travels.