Page:Augusta Seaman--Jacqueline of the carrier pigeons.djvu/295

Rh In the twinkling of an eye were the canals and docks lined with throngs of the starving  populace. They grasped with famished delight the loaves of bread thrown to them by the jolly Beggars of the Sea, and nearly  choked themselves to death trying to swallow  huge mouthfuls without even chewing them.

Gysbert waited impatiently on the fortress till he saw the familiar lugger of Joris Fruytiers come into view, and then ran down  and climbed aboard her. Words cannot describe the meeting between himself and Jacqueline, who during that night of terror  and uncertainty had given him up for dead. They had much to tell each other, but little time to give to it, for old Captain Joris demanded at once the whole history of Gysbert’s night, and was loud in the praise of his  bravery.

When the last vessel had entered the gates, stanch Admiral Boisot stood on the deck of  his flag-ship and made a speech to the assembled crowds. He ended by saying that both