Chapter 15 - Page 2

certainly come
upon us as suddenly as some of which I have read, in the old world; but
when the snow and winter endure as far into March as had been the case with
that of the year 1758, the change is often nearly magical.

"Here, then, is the spring opening," I said to Dirck, as we walked along
the well-washed streets; "and, in a few weeks, we must be off to the bush.
Our business on the Patent must be got along with, before the troops are
put in motion, or we may lose the opportunity of seeing a campaign."

With such expectations and feelings I entered Guert's bachelor abode;
and the first words I uttered, were to sympathize in his supposed
disappointment.

"It is a great pity you did not propose the drive to the ladies for
Saturday," I began; "for that was not only a mild day, but the sleighing
was excellent. As it is, you will have to postpone your triumph until next
winter."

"I do not understand you!" cried Guert; Jack and Moses never were in
better heart, or in better condition. I think they are equal to going to
Kinderhook in two hours!"

"But who will furnish the roads with snow? By looking out of the window,
you will see that the streets are nearly bare."

"Streets and roads! Who cares for either, while we have the river? We often
use the river here, weeks at a time, when the snow has left us. The ice has
been remarkably even the whole of this winter, and, now the snow is off it,
there will be no danger from the air-holes."

I confess I did not much like the notion of travelling twenty miles on the
ice, but was far too much of a man to offer any objections.

We breakfasted, and proceeded in a body to the residence of Herman
Mordaunt. When the ladies first heard that we had come to claim the
redemption of the half-promise given at Madam Schuyler's, their surprise
was not less than mine had been, half an hour before, while their
uneasiness was probably greater.

"Surely, Jack and Moses cannot exhibit all their noble qualities without
snow!" exclaimed Anneke, laughing, "Ten Eycks though they be!"

"We Albanians have the advantage of travelling on the ice, when the
snow fails us," answered Guert. "Here is the river, near by, and never was
the sleighing on it, better than at this moment."

"But, it has been many times safer, I should think. This looks very much
like the breaking up of winter!"

"That is probable enough, and so much greater the reason why we should not
delay, if you and Miss Mary ever intend to learn what the blacks can do. It
is for the honour of Holland that I desire it, else would I not presume so
far. I