satisfied with the composition which had been offered, and which was confirmed by the proper authorities. What right therefore had he, Francis, to make a fresh claim?”
Francis endeavoured to remonstrate respectfully, but he could not obtain a hearing. The man overwhelmed him with abuse, and finally showed him to the door. He fared no better with the second and third, who equally assailed him with reproaches, and peremptorily refused to acknowledge that they owed any debt. He returned to his inn dejected and sorrowful, and considered with himself whether he would go to the remainder, or what would be the best thing to do. Meanwhile, the knavish debtors assembled together and debated how they should get rid of their unwelcome creditor. They lodged a complaint against him, utterly without foundation; and corrupting the judges with bribes, poor Francis was arrested. He remained in prison three months; but during the whole of that time underwent no judicial examination. At the expiration of the three months they offered him his liberty, upon condition that he quitted the city in four-and-twenty hours, and engaged in heavy penalties never again to enter it; and as he saw it was impossible to get out of prison by any other means, he consented.
He was now free, indeed; but in order to defray his fees they sold his horse, and so managed what was due to themselves as to make out an account which left a balance of five florins only for Francis. With this pittance was he forced to leave the city on foot and wander where he might. All the hopes with which, three months before, he had entered it, all the bright prospects which had cheered him on his journey, were now at an end. Indifferent whither his path might lead him, he kept along the main road with downcast eyes, and was a little shocked, after several days travelling, to find he was in the direct way for his native town. “Impossible!” he exclaimed to himself. “Can I be seen there again in this miserable garb? I will rather roam through the wide world at all hazards.” With these words he turned upon his steps, and directed his course towards Holland, where he resolved to take ship at Amsterdam, either for the East Indies or America.
It was not far from the frontiers of the Netherlands that he arrived late one evening at an inn which was full of strangers. He inquired of the landlord whether he could have a lodging for the night: but mine host, who either perceived from the first glance that there was not much to be gained from his guest, or else took him for a suspicious character, refused him bluntly.
“My rooms are all occupied,” said he, “you must therefore trudge on to the next village.”
Francis, who was annoyed at this reception (because he saw plainly the landlord considered him a vagabond or some thief perhaps), turned away, muttering some abusive words which the former overheard. He immediately called him back. “Hark’ee,” said he, “I can provide you with a good night’s lodging. In yonder castle, there, on the hill, there are plenty of rooms, and the keys are in my custody. It is never inhabited, because there is an old tradition that spirits and goblins haunt it: but for my part I don’t believe there is a word of truth in the story. Ever since I have lived here, I have never been able to discover any thing of the kind.”
Francis, who was foot-sore and thoroughly fatigued, seeing he could not better himself, and moreover thinking it might be a mere rumour, like that of the hospitable knight, Bronkhorst, accepted the offer without further parley. But the host, who was a wag, had done this to be revenged upon the stranger for his abuse of him.
The castle stood upon a height exactly opposite the inn, and about a stone’s throw from it. It was used by the owner as a hunting-seat merely. In the day-time he and his friends often caroused there; it was kept in good repair, therefore, and richly furnished with every convenience, but they never ventured to pass a night within the walls.
Mine host now conducted himself very kindly towards Francis. He filled a small basket with provisions, took a flask of wine, and two great wax candles, and gave Francis a lantern to carry. Thus they proceeded in company to the castle. Mine host unlocked the gates; then handed to Francis the basket, the wine, and the lights, and thus addressed him: “You can select whichever room you like best to sleep in: should any thing
