Let us suppose that no sooner is his Majesty landed at The Hague and safe in his own beloved realm than our gallant English sailors display a just distaste for their Dutch commanders by setting those commanders ashore, and running--let us say--for Calais, where their true Sovereign waits to be conveyed across to the country which his rival has quitted.

Obviously, for this purpose, the fleet would need, on the spot, capable officers to step into the shoes of the deposed Dutchmen." "You propose that Jack and I shall be two of these officers ?" asked Captain Runacles slowly, with a glance at his comrade.
"I think it advisable that you should be at The Hague.

You understand that I merely sketch out a possible course of events." "Of course.

Do you think it likely that the British squadron-- supposing it to behave as you say--would receive support at Calais ?" "I fancy it might find a large squadron of his French Majesty's fleet waiting there to co-operate." "And the army ?" "It is possible that events might happen, about that time, among our regiments in Flanders." "That, in other words, they would desert to King Lewis ?" "You put it crudely, Captain Runacles.

I believe that our gallant soldiers will act with a single eye to their country's welfare; and I am sure they will do nothing that can be constructed as a blot upon their country's flag." "I also am tolerably certain of that, my lord," answered Captain Jemmy drily.