Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-01-15

and knew its full value and although some
what startled at being thus bearded by an
unknown man, still Stofel felt that the eyes
Of the world and of posterity were upon him,
and determined not to yield without farther
effort. Delching out a portentous oath, he
drew back farther and farther-for the pur.
pose Of good start, Of coursc-lke lion
preparing for his spring-and fortunate was
II for the stranger that he did so; for it
gave Klaas Van Hig an opportunity Of inter-
fering TO prevent collision, which from the
known character Of Steinbach, and the rug
ged strength, and savage bearing Of the stran-
ger, promished to be fearful, and to endanger
the upsetting Of all the tankards in the room.
With that shrewd policy which rendered him
so efficient in council. klaas by gentle words
gradually soothed the irritated feelings ofthe
Dutch warrior, who exhibited himself mag
unanimously pIacable; and 10 prevent farther
angry discussion between him and the stran-
ger, and perhaps 10 save the dignity Of the
town from further degradation, It was pro-
posed and settled, that without farther delay,
the object Of the meeting should be taken up.
To all this the intruder paid no attention,
remaining silent, putting out dense clouds of
smoke, and apparently having confidence
in himself which his powerful frame, and in
dications of great bodily strength, fully war
ranted. No sooner, however, was the name
of the dreaded Hyder mentioned than his
attention seemed awakened. Turning his
head toward the speaker, while his small
black eye glittered like fire beneath his shay
gy brow, he growled out, in a startling
tone:-
"You had better let Hyder Van Kloften
alone; he's not fond of being troubled nor
is he apt to forget those who NEEDLE with his
affairs"
For few moments there was general
feeling ofdismay, and deep silence. Sew
eral of the burgomasters cast wistful looks at
the door; some roso to their feet, and others
deserted their seats. Knots gathered in diff
fercnt parts of the room, and buzzing con-
sultation was held in very vehement Low
Dutch. The only effect tina, this produced
upon the stranger was to induce him to SLOUGH
his hat still lower over his face hitch his stool
still higher the fire, while he smoked away
as composedly as before.
Again did the courage of the brave Stof1el
stand them in stead for stalking up to the
source of all this most unpreccnted dstur-
bance, and looking him full in the back, with
a glance, which, had il encountered his, must
have made his heart sink within, he said:
"Harkye, sirrah-you are an intruder
here, and if you intend to remain, must not
NEEDLE with what does not concern you. II
you do --" He did not finish the sen.
tence in words; but the fierce manner with
which he thumped his stomach, and the APP
paing tone of his voice, produced prodig-
ious sensation among the sages Of Nieuw
Amsterdam, who aftcrward regarded him as
onc-ony too brave.
No sooner had he finished, than the stran-
ger, extraordinary as it may seem, nothing
daunted by the imminent peril Of his situation,
rose slowly to his feet, and kicked the stool
upon which he had been seated into the fire.
Turning short upon Stofel, he bent down
until he thrust his nose almost in his face, and
quietly remarked:
"What have said, now repeat. You
had better not mcddle withthe affairs of Hyder
Van Klohen. You have picked up one dead
body, l hear, in the rivcr-thcre's room for
another-do you understand"
Mover before was the stout-hearted Stoffel
so completely aghast, but the eyes Of Nieuw
Amsterdam were upon him, and he determine
ed to strike one more vigorous blow for his
fame. "Donder and blitzen!" exclaimed
he, in tone whereat even himscfwas great
ly amazed, and which he hoped might ntim-
idate his adversary, although he began strong
ly to suspect that he was not liable to sudden
fits of panic. "Donder and bitten! You
speak boldly for the robber-perhaps you
have seen him 7"
"Ihave," was the laconic reply.
"And know him I"
~ do"
Stof1el cast a suspicious glance in his face,
and asked, with considerable abatement in
the force of his voice, what manner Of man
he vast"
| For some moments the stranger seemed in
doubt; but at length stretching himself to his
full height, and raising his slouched hat from
his head, he answered:
81 am told there is a strong resemblance
between Hydcr and myself"
Stonel drew back several steps, and a
deep silence reigned in the council chamber,
while the stranger proceeded to tumble in his
pocket, from Which he finally drew folded
paper Slowly unfolding this he display ed
sheet closely written with Dutch characters,
and bearing at the bottom the Haunting sig
nature of Klaas Van Hig.
"Here," continued he in tone Of stern
deliberation, at the same time crossing the
room and placing his back against the door,
to cut of all retreat" here is proclamation
offering reward of one hundred and fifty
guildcrs for the delivery Of the person ofthat
notorious robber, Hyder Van Kloftcn, in
to the hands of the authorities Of Nieuw Am
sterdam. Its signed by "Klaas Van Hig."
Is that your signature 7 demanded he, turn
ing to that worthy without hesitation.
The prudent Klaas felt that his wisdom
had been at fault for once but repentance
came too late, and there was something in the
manner ofhis interrogation that shut out all
equivocation, so he took the paper, closely
inspected it for moment, until it was i'm
possible longer to delay his answer, and
then, returning it to the stranger summoned
courage for the effort TO return mild assent.