The brave commandant, attended by young Albert, set an example of
enduring energy to his fellow-citizens. From morning till night he was
to be seen going round and round the fortifications, showing were points
might be strengthened with advantage, and to encourage the labourers,
often himself taking a spade or pick in hand. Where fresh batteries had
to be thrown up, the work was one which greatly taxed the strength of
the citizens, but they all knew that their lives depended on their
repairing and strengthening their defences before their foes should
again attack them. Not only the citizens of all ranks, but their wives
and children assisted, many who had never before engaged in manual
labour offering their services to carry baskets of earth to the
ramparts, and otherwise aiding in the work going forward. In this task
the commandant was ably supported by the burgomaster and other
magistrates. Jaqueline often accompanied the burgomaster, and set an
example to the citizens' wives and daughters by carrying baskets of
earth, nor did her father, tenderly cherished though she had always
been, attempt to prevent her from performing the task which she
considered right. He felt the importance of the example she set to
others, for when they saw the fair Lily, the admired of all, engaged in
manual labour for the common good, no one, not even the most delicate,
could venture to hold back. It would have been well for the citizens if
they could have obtained provisions as easily as they could repair their
walls, but the country had already been drained by the Spaniards,
mounted parties of whom were even now ranging as near as they could
venture, to prevent supplies from being sent into Leyden. Barges laden
with corn, and carts, however, were constantly arriving at the city, and
occasionally a few oxen, while horsemen rode out in various directions
to induce the peasantry to send in all the provisions they could spare,
reminding them that they would before long fall into the hands of their
foes, who would take them without payment. Still the amount of food
collected fell far short of what was required. The citizens did not
labour with the dull apathy of despair, but with warm enthusiasm, they
all being resolved to rival their countrymen at Alkmaar. The men sang
at their work, and the girls chatted as if they were engaged in some
holiday task. The only person who appeared not in any way to partake of
the general enthusiasm was the Baron Von Arenberg, who excused himself
on the plea that he was out of health, and that any exertion would be
exceedingly injurious to him, though he had no objection to standing
still and watching others at work, which he declared ought to afford the
labourers ample encouragement. He did not, however, make his appearance
in public as often as he had been accustomed to do. He was greatly put
out from the circumstance that when calling at the house of the
burgomaster he had seldom found him at home, and that Jaqueline had
invariably excused herself from seeing him during the absence of her
father. He had therefore not known how she was employed. Curiosity
had, however, prompted him one bright morning to take a walk round the
ramparts, and he arrived at a spot where a new battery was being thrown
up. On a high mound stood the burgomaster, and near him a number of men
were engaged in the more severe labour of the undertaking, while troops
of women, some with full baskets, were bringing up earth from the trench
which was being dug, while others were returning with the empty ones.
The baron started with astonishment, for at the head of one of the
parties appeared the Lily of Leyden carrying with a companion a basket
of earth; her dress, though not ungraceful, was suited to her
occupation. Me gazed as if at first unable to believe his senses, a
flush mantled on his brow.
"Can her father thus allow her to degrade herself?" he exclaimed to one
of the eldest and chief citizens who was standing by, whose daughters
and grand-daughters were similarly employed, though the baron was not
aware of the fact. "The task too is utterly useless; should the
Spaniards again lay siege to the town, they will, before two weeks are
over, have gained an entrance, and they have already shown the penalties
they intend to exact from those who resist their authority."
"Baron Van Arenberg, such I am bound to believe is your honest opinion,
but understand that we trust in God, in the true courage which animates
the breasts of patriots, and in that aid which our noble Prince will
most assuredly send us," answered the old man, in a stern tone. "The
task in which the fair Jaqueline is engaged raises her higher than her
beauty, her position, or her wealth can do in the eyes of her
countrymen. Look at my daughters and grand-children, they feel proud of
imitating her; when you communicate with your friends, the `Glippers,'
tell them how the matrons and maidens of Leyden are employed, and let
them warn the Spaniards of the death which awaits them should they
assail our ramparts."
The baron again started, but with a different feeling than before, and
declared that he was no "Glipper," though he was not inspired, he
confessed, with the same enthusiasm which at present animated the
citizens of Leyden.
"It may be that you are not a `Glipper,' but your remarks savour much of
the principles which animate them," observed the old citizen, in a dry
tone. "Speak them not aloud to others, or you may chance to be looked
upon as a traitor and be treated as such."
By a strong effort the baron quelled his rising anger; he could gain no
credit by a dispute with the aged and highly esteemed citizen who had
thus spoken to him, and turning aside he directed his steps homeward.
He fancied that it would be derogatory to his rank to engage in manual
labour, and yet he could not stand by and see the fair Jaqueline and
other young ladies of position thus employed without offering to assist
them, unless he was prepared to be regarded as destitute alike of all
chivalric and patriotic feelings. On reaching the handsome mansion he
inhabited, after pacing several times across the room, he threw himself
into a chair to consider what course he should pursue. The old
citizen's remarks had warned him of the danger he would incur should he
be supposed to advocate a surrender to the Spaniards, and he would be in
still greater danger should it be discovered that he was carrying on a
secret correspondence with Valdez through his "Glipper" friends; he was
also mortified and annoyed at seeing Jaqueline so degrading herself, as
he considered, by labouring like any peasant girl at the fortifications.
"How can her father, who dotes on her as the apple of his eye, allow
her thus to demean herself?" he exclaimed, "to exhaust her health and
strength, to soil her fair hands with the moist and black earth; the
very thought is unbearable!" He again rose and paced across the room,
half inclined to order his servants to prepare for an instant journey.
"If I remain I shall have to share the sufferings these obstinate
citizens are preparing to bring down on themselves, or indeed I may lose
my life. I would rather sacrifice my property than do that. I may by
joining General Valdez at once gain better terms for them, little as
they deserve it at my hands, at all events I shall secure my own
possessions." He rang a bell to summon an attendant, but no one
answered to the call. At length he inquired of the old one-legged
porter who had admitted him, when, to his disgust, he found that the
whole of his establishment had gone out to labour at the fortifications.
"They will soon get tired of the work and return," he said to himself,
but the delay gave him further time for reflection. "If I go I must
abandon all hope of winning the Lily of Leyden, unless the city is
speedily captured and I am able to save her from the terrible danger she
would incur during the assault. For her sake I must not allow her to
run that risk; no, the only safe course, as far as she is concerned, for
me to follow is to remain either to gain her father's consent to our
immediate union, or to persuade her to fly with me, while there is yet
time, to a place of safety. She might be unwilling to go to the Hague,
but I might take her to Delft or Rotterdam, where she would be equally
safe; and although she might at first regret having left her father and
other friends in this city, a very few weeks will show her what a
merciful escape she has had. It may yet be some days before Valdez and
his army can reach the neighbourhood, I will remain and employ the time
in endeavouring to persuade her to take the only step which can secure
her safety. I cannot bear the thought that one so lovely should be
doomed to the fearful fate in which she will be involved when the
Spaniards capture the city."
Fortunately there were few in Leyden who entertained the baron's
opinions. While he remained at home, his mind agitated by conflicting
doubts and fears, the rest of the inhabitants were engaged as has been
described. The commandant, accompanied by his son Albert, remained
chiefly on the ramparts; he had to inspect the firearms as they were
repaired or manufactured by the armourers, ceaselessly working day and
night, and he had likewise to examine the few recruits who could be
collected from the country round to assist in the defence, and especial
attention had to be given to the exercising of the men at the great guns
placed in the various forts. The burgomaster, among his many other
duties, daily visited the storehouses to see the progress made in
collecting food, both for man and beast, and he also inspected the pens
and sheds in which the cattle were placed as they were driven in, while
he made preparation for all the various contingencies which might occur.
And, although he desired his daughter to set the example to the women
and girls of Leyden, remembering that she was utterly unused to manual
work, he, after a time, summoned her home to take the rest and
refreshment she required.
"Go, my sweet Jaqueline," said Vrouw Margaret de Munto, the wife of one
of the chief magistrates. "You have shown us how the most delicate can
work, and we will not be idle during your absence."
Jaqueline, whose arms and shoulders were aching with the unwonted
labour, was, it must be confessed, thankful to obey her father's summons
to return home. She was rewarded with the consciousness that she had
performed her duty, and she hoped to have strength to continue it, but
she was more out of spirits than was usual with her. Some days had
passed since her young cousin Berthold had accompanied Captain Van der
Elst to Rotterdam and they had not again made their appearance. The
burgomaster could not account for the delay, but felt sure that the
Prince would immediately send them back with despatches confirming John
Van der Does in his appointment as Commandant, and stating what plans he
proposed for their relief. The Lily cast many a glance over the plain
in the hopes of seeing the two horsemen approaching; but though
occasionally trains of carts and baggage-horses laden with sacks of
corn, and small herds of cattle were seen on the roads, the two absent
ones whose safe return would have relieved her anxiety failed to appear.
As the foragers brought in word that parties of Spaniards who had come
from the direction of the Hague had been met with, some fears were
entertained that Captain Van der Elst and Berthold might have fallen
into their hands.
"Berthold is too well acquainted with the country to allow himself and
his companion easily to be caught," observed the burgomaster. "Perhaps
the Prince is waiting to decide on the plan he proposes to adopt for our
relief. We shall see them in a day or two; though it is but natural
that you should feel as anxious about your cousin Berthold as I do.
They will arrive, I feel sure, before the Spaniards approach our walls,
as the Prince, who keeps himself well acquainted with the enemy's
movements, will not detain them too long, so as to prevent them getting
in with safety."
The Lily sighed, for she feared there might be some miscalculation as
day after day notice had been brought of the rapid approach of the hated
foe, and at any hour it seemed that their advanced guard might appear
before the walls. The burgomaster had thrown himself into an armchair
the first rest he had sought that day since early dawn, having
especially desired his daughter to retire. Scarcely, however, had he
taken his pen in hand to sign certain documents which had been brought
to him, than the bells of the nearest church struck a peculiar note,
which was taken up by the others in different parts of the city in rapid
succession. It was the tocsin peal, announcing the approach of an
enemy, and summoning the citizens to the ramparts. The burgomaster
immediately rose, and sending word to Jaqueline on no account to leave
the house, set forth to the Stadhuis, where he knew that the principal
magistrates would quickly assemble. As he was leaving the door of his
house he was met by young Albert Van der Does.
"The commandant has sent me, Burgomaster, to request your presence on
the north-western rampart, where he, with several officers, is waiting
your arrival. A body of troops has been seen approaching along the
causeway from the direction of the Castle of Valkenburg."
The burgomaster, notwithstanding his fatigue, accompanied young Albert
at a rapid pace. From every direction people of all ranks were
hastening through the streets, some girding on their swords as they left
their doors, while their wives or daughters handed to them their
firearms. Many an eye was turned in the direction of the approaching
troops.
"They march more quickly than the Spaniards are wont to do," observed
the commandant to the burgomaster.
"Can they be troops sent by the Prince to assist in the defence of the
city?" asked the latter.
"They would not be coming from that direction," said the commandant.
"By their pennons, and the sombre appearance which pervades their ranks,
I suspect that they are English."
The foreign troops drew nearer, and no doubt longer remained that they
were English, and as far as could be calculated numbered between five
and six hundred men.
"They will be a welcome addition to our garrison," observed one of the
magistrates. "For those islanders are brave fellows and fight well on
all occasions."
"Notwithstanding, unless they bring a written order to me from the
Prince to admit them, I will dispense with their services wherever they
come from," said the commandant. "The English are trustworthy enough,
and fight well if they are well fed and are satisfied with their
quarters, but I would not trust them should a famine get within our
walls; and should they begin to feel the pinchings of hunger, they would
then cry out that we must surrender, and would induce others to follow
their evil example. They well know that it is the policy of the
Spaniards just now to behave courteously to the English, and these
mercenaries would hope that their lives would be spared, though every
other man in the place were put to death. No, no; even though our
numbers be few let us rather trust to the stubborn hearts of our
Hollanders than to such men as those probably are."
The burgomaster and the other magistrates, after a short consideration,
fully agreed with the sentiments expressed by the commandant. In a
short time the English commander, galloping ahead of his men, rode up to
the walls and in the name of William, Prince of Orange, demanded instant
admittance.
"Whence do you come, Colonel Chester?" inquired the commandant, who
recognised the officer as the commander of a body of English troops in
the service of the Prince.
"From Valkenburg," was the answer. "I have been obliged to abandon that
fortress, from being assured that it would be hopeless to attempt
holding out against the Spaniards, who I hear are advancing with an
overwhelming force, and I had neither provisions nor sufficient
ammunition to stand a lengthened siege, I therefore judged it prudent to
march here to assist you in the defence of your city."
"I regret that I cannot admit you or your men, Colonel Chester," said
the commandant. "Our garrison is already of sufficient strength, and we
have as many mouths to feed as we can find provisions for."
"But my men and I shall be cut to pieces by the Spaniards, who, if they
overtake us in the open country, and we cannot hope to reach any other
fortress in which we can defend ourselves, have threatened vengeance
against all who side with the Prince of Orange."
"There was one fortress you might have defended, and that you thought
fit to abandon, regardless of the interests of the noble prince whom you
engaged to serve," answered the commandant, sternly.
In vain the English colonel pleaded that the lives of his whole band
would be sacrificed if they were not admitted within, the city. The
commandant was firm in his resolution and declined their services, and
they at length finding that they pleaded in vain, forming themselves
into compact order moved on till they reached the causeway leading to
the Hague. At length they were lost to sight in the distance; some few
regretted that the commandant had refused the assistance of so many
sturdy men-at-arms, but the act inspired the citizens with fresh
courage, each man now feeling that on his own bravery and resolution the
safety of the city depended.