e was higher than the river,
and to prevent the sea from flowing back into the country and disturbing
the system of dikes, immense gates were made in the sluiceways
constructed for the purpose. When the tide comes in, these gates are
shut. At low tide they are opened to let the water out. Indeed, this is
true of all the canals, which are provided with gates at each end, like
a dock. The dikes at the mouth of the Rhine are stupendous works; and as
the foundation is nothing but sand, they are built on piles, and the
face of them is of stone. This is Leyden."

"What is there here?" asked Paul, as they got out of the carriage.

"It has about the same sights as Delft, and also a celebrated
university; but it is more noted for its siege by the Spaniards, in
1574, than for anything else. Doubtless Mr. Mapps will fight the battle
over again."

Of course the professor of geography and history could not lose such a
glorious opportunity, and in the _Stadhuis_, where the picture of Peter
Vanderwerf, the burgomaster who so bravely defended the place in the
memorable siege, was pointed out, he took advantage of the moment.

"The city had held out four months," said he, after introducing the
topic, "when the worst came. The Prince of Orange had promised to assist
the people by supplying them with food; but so close was the blockade of
the place by the Spaniards, that it was impossible to do so. They were
reduced to the very verge of starvation. Dogs, cats, rats, horses, were
greedily eaten. Six thousand of the people died of pestilence, which
came with the famine, and there was hardly force enough to bury the
dead. Though pressed and threatened by the citizens, the inflexible
burgomaster refused to surrender the town. At last a couple of carrier
pigeons flew into the city, which brought the intelligence that the
prince had cut the dikes, and sent Admiral Boiset to their relief when
the rising waters should drive the Spaniards away. But the waters did
not rise high enough to enable the admiral to approach, and the people
prayed to Heaven for help. It came. A storm and a gale forced the waters
far up the river to the walls of Leyden. Boiset, with eight hundred
wild Zealanders, fought their way through the Spaniards, perched in the
trees, in boats, or in such places above the water as they could find,
and made his way into the town. A thousand of the enemy were drowned.
Leyden was saved, and the people celebrate the day of their deliv