"
"I think, father," Geoffrey said, touching the plasters on his
head, "this looks somewhat as if we had had something to do with
the fighting, and here is a letter for you from Captain Vere which
will give you some information about it."
Mr. Vickars adjusted his horn spectacles on his face and opened
the letter. It began: "My dear Master and Friend, -- I have had
no means of writing to you since your letter came to me, having
had other matters in mind, and being cut off from all communication
with England. I was glad to find that you did not take amiss my
carrying off of your sons. Indeed that action has turned out more
happily than might have been expected, for I own that they were
but young for such rough service.
"However, they have proved themselves valiant young gentlemen.
They fought stoutly by my side during our long tussle with the
Spaniards, and more than once saved my life by ridding me of foes
who would have taken me at a disadvantage. Once, indeed, when I
was down from a blow on the pate from a Spanish axe, they rushed
forward and kept my assailants at bay until rescue came. They
discovered a plot between a traitor in the town and the Spaniards,
and succeeded in defeating his plans and bringing him to justice.
"They were also the means of preventing the Spaniards from breaking
into the great wine cellars and capturing the warehouses, and for
each of these services they received the thanks of the Dutch governor
and of Sir Roger Williams, our leader.
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