Part 20 (1/2)

”We have been fined because Mr. Bradley's son used our landing. It is a great injustice, for in this matter we were as innocent as yourself.”

”That is not the truth, sir. If, like me, you had boarded in your house a few soldiers, then the care and the watch would have been their business, not yours. Those who don't act prudently must feel the chastis.e.m.e.nt of the government; but so! I will have nothing to do with the matter. It is a steady principle of mine never to interfere in other people's affairs.”

”There is no necessity for interference. The case is settled. My father is fined two hundred pounds, a most outrageous wrong.”

”Whoever is good and respectable is not fined by the government.”

”In our case there was neither law nor justice. It was simple robbery.”

”I know not what you mean. The government is the King, and I do not talk against either King or government. The Van Emerlies, who are always sneering at the King, have had to take twenty-seven per cent. out of the estate of a bankrupt cousin; and the Remsens, who are discontented and always full of complaints, have spoiled their business. G.o.d directs things so that contentment leads to wealth.”

”I was speaking of neither the King nor his government, but of the Military Police Court.”

”Oh! Well, then, I think all the stories I hear about its greediness and tyranny are downright lies.”

”I must, however, a.s.sert that this court has been unjust and tyrannical both to my father and myself.”

”That is your business, not mine.”

”I was in hopes that you would feel differently. My father has often helped you out of tight places. I thought at this time you would remember that. There was that cargo at Perth Amboy, but for my father, it had gone badly with you!”

”Yes, yes! I give good for good, but not to my own cost. People who go against the government and are in trouble are not my friends. I do not meddle with affairs that are against the government. It is dangerous, and I am a husband and a father, not a fool.”

”To a.s.sist my father for a few days, till I can turn property into money, is not going against the government.”

”You will not turn property into money these days; it is too late. I, who am noted for my prudence, got rid of all my property at the beginning of the war; you and your father bought other people's houses, while I sold mine. So! I was right, as I always am.”

”Then you had no faith in the King's cause, even at the beginning; and I have heard it said you are not unfriendly now to the rebels.”

_”Ja!_ I give the Americans a little, quietly. One must sail as the wind serves; and who can tell which way it will blow to-morrow? I am a good sailor; never shall I row against wind and tide. Who am I, Batavius DeVries, to oppose the government? It is one of my most sacred principles to obey the government.”

”Then if the Americans succeed, you will obey their government? Your principles are changeable, Captain.”

”It is a bad principle not to be able to change your principles. The world is always changing. I change with it. That is prudent, for I will not stand alone, or be left behind. That is my way; your ways do not suit me.”

”This talk comes to nothing. To be plain with you, I want to borrow two hundred pounds for a month. I hope you will lend it. In the Perth Amboy matter my father stood for you in a thousand pounds.”

”That is eaten bread, and your father knew I could secure the money. I wish I could help Elder Semple, but it would not be prudent.”

”Good gracious, sir!”

”Oh, then, you must keep such words to yourself! I say it would not be prudent. He has swamped himself with other men's houses, his business is decayed, he is old; and you are also in a bad way and cannot help him, or why do you come to me?”

”I can give you good security, good land----”

”Land! What is good land to me? It will not be useful in my business.

And there is another thing, you are not particular in your company. I have heard about your Methodist friends; there is Vestryman William Ustick, he was a Methodist servant, and he has become bankrupt; so, then----”

”You will not repay my father's frequent loans to you. If your father-in-law, Joris Van Heemskirk, was here----”

”I am not Joris Van Heemskirk. He is a rebel. I, who have always been loyal, have made twelve thousand dollars this last year. Is not that a hint for me to go on in the right way?”