Page:Augusta Seaman--Jacqueline of the carrier pigeons.djvu/306

280, under the pretext of escorting the young Count on a visit to His Majesty Philip II.

“The boy was under my special care, and I counselled him strongly not to accept these  doubtful honors. But the child was uncontrollable in his desire to have his own way, and before I could get word to the Prince of  Orange, the start was made. Young De Buren was to travel in state, though secretly. He had a retinue of two pages, two valets, a cook and an accountant, and moreover insisted that I should go with him as a personal  companion. I was nothing loath to do so, for I thought I might thus be able to shield  him from harm. My presence, however, was not relished by the Spanish envoys, but at  first they thought it best not to oppose the  boy’s wish.

“We reached the borders of Spain, and camped one night in a little mountain village. As the evening was fine, I determined to take a short stroll before retiring. On reaching