is a terrible sight, and the very odor of the room will infect thee!”
“Zounds, man! how careful thou art of my health! But, fortunately, I do not fear the plague. I had it three years ago and got over it bravely. They say one is then exempt and can never catch it again. Let me go, Dirk.”
“Aye, but I will not answer for the consequences, thou reckless man!” answered Dirk as he reluctantly unbolted the door, shutting it again quickly, when the soldier was once inside. Alonzo sat down on a vacant chair, and laughed till the tears rolled down his cheeks, at the capers Gysbert cut, raving and tossing, shouting and groaning, and flinging the bed-clothes about.
“Thou art the cleverest lad I ever met!” he whispered, glancing significantly at the door, to intimate that Dirk was probably outside listening. Then aloud;
“By the Pope! thou art in a right bad predicament, and methinks thou hast not much
