"Very well, Dolly; but how came you to get the letter? We are at war with the Dutch Settlements now, you know."
"That is the amusing part of it. Now listen, and I will read it to you;" and Dolly spread out a large sheet of paper, and read aloud in mimicking tones--
"Mein dear Mees Dolly,--You did vant ein loafer who could vight vor his coundry, and vould haf no man who vas yoost ein merchant. Very goot. I mineself now command the privateer Swift , vich vas used to be sailing in gompany mit La Brave und La Mouche in der service of der French Republic, und did den vight und beat all der Anglische ships in der Anglische Channel. Id is drue dot your La Minerve did by shance von tay capture der Swift , and sold her to the American beoples, but our Batavian merchants did buy her from them, und
