Page:Augusta Seaman--Jacqueline of the carrier pigeons.djvu/43

Rh I but time I would bring my pencil, and sketch thee just as thou art. But hurry, hurry! The Burgomaster Van der Werf is going to make a speech and read two proclamations from the steps of the statehouse. Every one will be there. Come, we must get near the front!”

“Yes, yes!” echoed Jacqueline, as eager as the boy. “Close thou the door tightly, Gysbert, and we will hurry, that we may not  miss a word. Ah, I hope that the good William the Silent has sent the city a message!”

Out into the street they sallied, mingling with the crowd that was surging toward the  open square in front of the great state-house. The bells of Saint Pancras sounded the signal for a public meeting, and one could  read from each earnest, excited countenance,  the importance that was placed on being  present in this crisis.

“Look!” cried Gysbert. “There is Jan Van Buskirk not far ahead. I thought he was too ill with lumbago to leave his bed!