They must have been by no means teachable birds, for during the years the Spaniards had ruled in Holland, the places of execution were never empty.

They were screeching as if in anger, but still remained perched on the tree, which they probably mistook for a gibbet.

The rest of the comical ornaments and the thought of the nimble adventurer, who must have climbed up to fasten them, formed a glaring and offensive contrast to the caricature of the gallows.
Yet Nicolas laughed loudly, as he perceived the queer objects in the top of the elm, and pointing upward, said: "What kind of fruits are hanging there ?" But the next instant a chill ran down his back, for a raven perched on the black doll and pecked so fiercely at it with its hard beak, that bird and image swayed to and fro like a pendulum.
"What does this nonsense mean ?" asked the baron, turning to the servant, a bold-looking fellow, who rode behind him.
"It's something like a tavern-sign," replied the latter.
"Yesterday, when the sun was shining, it looked funny enough--but to-day--b-r-r-r-it's horrible." The nobleman's eyes were not keen enough to read the inscription on the placard.

When Nicolas read it aloud to him, he muttered an oath, then turned again to the servant, saying: "And does this nonsense bring guests to the rascally host's tavern ?" "Yes, my lord, and 'pon my soul, it looked very comical yesterday, when the ravens were not to be seen; a fellow couldn't look at it without laughing.

Half Leyden was there, and we went with the crowd.