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The practice at the pels which Myles was bidden to attend comprised the chief exercise of the day with the esquires of young cadet soldiers of that time, and in it they learned not only all the strokes, cuts, and thrusts of sword-play then in vogue, but also toughness, endurance, and elastic quickness.
In the evening I went with M. Pels to Zaandam, in a boat placed on a sleigh and impelled by a sail. It was an extraordinary, but at the same time an amusing and agreeable, mode of travelling. The wind was strong, and we did fifteen miles an hour; we seemed to pass through the air as swiftly as an arrow.
"I shall have the honour of calling on you to-morrow, and I will bring my family-tree with me. Will you be vexed if you find the root of your family also?" "Not at all; I shall be delighted. I will call on you myself to-morrow. May I ask if you are a business man?" "No, I am a financial agent in the employ of the French ministry. I am staying with M. Pels."
And how about your falling asleep yesterday when you were supping with M. Pels?" "It was no wonder that I went asleep, as I had not closed an eye the night before." "I am envious of anyone who possesses the secret of getting a good sleep, for I have always to wait long hours before sleep comes to me, and when I awake, instead of being refreshed, I feel heavy and languid from fatigue."
M. Pels told me to wait, as he said he could get me fifteen per cent. He asked me to dinner, and, on my admiring his Cape wine, he told me with a laugh that he had made it himself by mixing Bordeaux and Malaga.
"Sir James maintaineth that he will not enter thee into the body till thou hast first practised for a while at the pels, and shown what thou canst do at broadsword. Hast ever fought at the pel?" "Aye," answered Myles, "and that every day of my life sin I became esquire four years ago, saving only Sundays and holy days." "With shield and broadsword?"
I was somewhat interested in his cool but pleasant manner. I got back into my chaise, and the next night reached Amsterdam. I put up at the excellent inn "L'Etoile d'Orient," and in the morning I went on 'Change and found M. Pels. He told me he would think my business over, and finding M, d'O directly afterwards he offered to do me my sixty bills and give me twelve per cent.
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