only ones who refused to be accessory to this treason.

The task of providing quarters for Captain Cromwell and the other
Englishmen and Netherlanders, who had remained faithful, was assigned to
Van Hout. Burgomaster Van der Werff went home with Commissioner Van
Bronkhorst. Many a low-voiced but violent word had been exchanged between
them. The commissioner protested that the Prince would be highly incensed
at the refusal to admit the Englishmen, for with good reason he set great
value on Queen Elizabeth's favorable disposition to the cause of freedom,
to which the burgomaster and his friends had rendered bad service that
day. Van der Werff denied this, for everything depended upon holding
Leyden. After the fall of this city, Delft, Rotterdam and Gouda would
also be lost, and all farther efforts to battle for the liberty of
Holland useless. Five hundred consumers would prematurely exhaust the
already insufficient stock of provisions. Everything had been done to
soften their refusal to admit the Englishmen, nay they had had free
choice to encamp beneath the protection of the walls under the cannon of
the city.

When the two men parted, neither had convinced the other, but each felt
sure of his comrade's loyalty. As Peter took leave, he said:

"Van Hout shall explain the reasons for our conduct to the Prince, in a
letter as clear and convincing as only he can make it, and his excellency
will finally approve of it. Rely upon that."

"We will wait," replied the commissioner, "but don't forget that we shall
soon be shut within these walls behind bolts and bars, like prisoners,
and perhaps day after to-morrow no messenger will be able to get to him."

"Van Hout is swift with his pen."

"And let a proclamation be read aloud, early tomorrow morning, advising
the women, old men and children, in short, all who will diminish the
stock of provisions and add no strength to the defence, to leave the
city. They can reach Delft without danger, for the roads leading to it
are still open."

"Very well," replied Peter. "It's said that many girls and women have
gone to-day in advance of the others."

"That's right," cried the commissioner. "We are driving in a fragile
vessel on the high seas. If I had a daughter in the house, I know what I
should do. Farewell till we meet again, Meister. How are matters at
Alfen? The firing is no longer heard."

"Darkness has probably interrupted the battle."

"We'll hope for the best news to-mo