And if so be as you repeats it I'll take either of you on and knock the face off him.' He was a chap after my own heart, but I had to keep the game up.

I said in Dutch to Peter that we mustn't get brawling in a public house.
'Remember the big thing,' I said darkly.

Peter nodded, and the old fellow, after staring at us for a bit, spat scornfully, and walked out.
'The time is coming when the Englander will sing small,' I observed to the crowd.

We stood drinks to one or two, and then swaggered into the street.

At the door a hand touched my arm, and, looking down, I saw a little scrap of a man in a fur coat.
'Will the gentlemen walk a step with me and drink a glass of beer ?' he said in very stiff Dutch.
'Who the devil are you ?' I asked.
'_Gott strafe England!_' was his answer, and, turning back the lapel of his coat, he showed some kind of ribbon in his buttonhole.
'Amen,' said Peter.