he
Land-Scheiding, and that he hoped, ere long, the large dyke would be
broken through and that the way would be opened to the very walls of the
city. The Prince also sent a message urging the citizens yet longer to
hold out, reminding them that with Leyden all Holland must also perish.
This letter for a time greatly encouraged the suffering garrison; those
who understood the nature of the undertaking were aware that much
depended on the direction of the wind. An easterly gale was calculated
to blow back the waters and prevent their rising, while one from the
south or west would force them on towards the city. The wind was now
blowing from the cast and the tides were at their lowest, so that the
waters were making but slow progress. Still the loyal-hearted among the
population, trusting to their Prince's promises, were assured that if it
was in the power of human help they would in time be relieved. The
"Glippers," however, who professed to know the country well, ridiculed
the desperate project. Those in the town taunted their fellow-citizens,
frequently crying out, "Go up to the tower and tell us if you can see
the ocean coming over the dry land to our relief." Day after day they
did go up, hoping, praying, fearing, and at last almost despairing of
relief from God or man. Letters were also daily received from those
with Valdez urging the inhabitants to spare themselves further
suffering. Young Albert and Berthold had made themselves especially
useful by going round the ramparts, not once or twice a day, but many
times during the day and night, at all hours, so that they might not
only see that the sentinels were keeping a vigilant watch, but that they
might be able to discover treachery should any have been attempted.
They had one evening gone to the top of Hengist's Tower, a spot they
were especially fond of visiting at all hours of the day and night, when
they saw the hitherto dark sky to the southward suddenly illumined by
bright flashes of light following one another in rapid succession.

"Hark, I can hear the roar of guns," exclaimed Berthold. They listened,
there was no doubt about it. The flashes continued, now fires blazed up
in various directions. There was more firing, not always in the same
place, the tide of battle was evidently moving on. The lads were at
length joined by several citizens.

"The Sea Beggars are coming!" shouted Albert, unwittingly, "they are
fighting their way towards us."