September 2, 2025 • 30 mins
Set in the tumultuous 1570s, By Pike and Dyke plunges listeners into the harrowing world of the Netherlands, where the shadow of Spanish tyranny looms large. Amidst the chaos, Edward Ned‚ Martin‚a young man caught between two worlds as the son of an English captain and a Dutch lady‚takes a stand to help his mothers people and seek vengeance for his slain relatives. Joining the ranks of the revolutionary leader William the Silent, Prince of Orange, Ned embarks on perilous secret missions across occupied territories. Through narrow escapes, fierce naval battles, and heart-stopping sieges, he witnesses the stirring yet tragic birth of the Dutch republic. (Summary by D. Leeson)
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter nineteen of by Pike and Dike, A Tale of
the Rise of the Dutch Republic. This LibriVox recording is
in the public domain by Pike and Dike by G. A. Henty,
Chapter nineteen, The Queen's Service. A few days after Ned's
return home, his aunt and cousins moved into a house
close by which they had taken a short time before.
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Dame Plomart's half of the property purchased with the money
that had been transmitted by her father in law and
his sons to England, being ample to keep them in
considerable comfort. Just as Ned was leaving Delft, some despatches
had been placed in his hands for delivery upon his
arrival in London to Lord Walsingham. The Great Minister was
in attendance upon the Queen at Greenwich, and thither Ned
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proceeded by boat on the morning after his arrival. On
stating that he was the bearer of despatches from the
Prince of Orange, Ned at once obtained an audience, and,
bowing deeply, presented his letters to the Queen's counselor. The
latter opened the letter addressed to himself, and, after reading
a few words, said be seated Captain Martin. The Prince
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tells me that he sends it by your hand, but
that as you are prostrate by fever, you will be
unable to deliver it personally. I am glad to see
that you are so far recovered. Ned seated himself while
Lord Walsingham continued the perusal of his despatches. The Prince
is pleased to speak in very high terms of you,
Captain Martin, he said, and tells me that as you
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are entirely in his confidence, you will be able to
give me much information besides that that he is able
to write. He then proceeded to question Ned at length
as to the state of feeling in Holland, its resources,
and means of resistance, upon all of which points Ned
replied fully. The interview lasted near two hours, at the
end of which time Lord Walsingham said, when I hand
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the letter enclosed within my own to the Queen, I
shall report to her Majesty very favorably as to your intelligence.
And it may possibly be that she may desire to
speak to you herself, for she is deeply interested in
this matter, and although circumstances have prevented her showing that
warmth for the welfare of Holland, that she feels she
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has no less the interest of that country at heart,
and will be well pleased to find that one of
her subjects has been rendering such assistance, as the Prince
is pleased to acknowledge in his letter to me. Please, therefore,
to leave your address with my secretary in the next room,
in order that I may communicate with you if necessary.
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Two days later, one of the royal servants brought a
message that Captain Martin was to present himself on the
following day at Greenwich, as Her Majesty would be pleased
to grant him an audience, knowing that the Queen loved
that those around her should be bravely attired, ned dressed
himself in the suit that he had only worn once
or twice when he had attended the Prince to meetings
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of the Estates. It was of a peuce colored satin
slashed with green, with a short mantle of the same material,
with the cape embroidered in silver. The bonnet was to
match with a small white feather. He placed the chain
the Prince had given him round his neck, and with
an ample ruff and manchets of Flemish lace, and his
rapier by his side. He took his place in the
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boat and was rowed to Greenwich. He felt some trepidation
as he was ushered in. A page conducted him to
the end of the chamber, where the Queen was standing,
with Lord Walsingham at her side. Ned bowed profoundly. The
Queen held out her hand, and, bending on one knee,
Ned reverently placed it to his lips. I am gratified,
Captain Martin, she said, at the manner in which my
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good cousin, the Prince of Orange, has been pleased to
speak of your services to him. You are young, indeed, Sir,
to have passed through such perilous adventures, and I would
fain hear from your lips the account of the deliverance
of Leiden, and of such other matters as you have
taken part in. The Queen then seated herself and Ned
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related modestly the events at Lyden, Harlem Alkmar, and the
two sea fights in which he had taken part. The
Queen several times questioned him closely as to the various details.
We are much interested, she said, in these fights in
which the Burghers of Holland have supported themselves against the
soldiers of Spain, seeing that we may ourselves some day
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have to maintain ourselves against that power. How comes it,
young sir, that you came to mix yourself up in
these matters. We know that many of our subjects have
crossed the water to fight against the Spaniards, But these
are for the most part restless spirits, who are attracted
as much, perhaps by a love of adventure, as by
their sympathy with the people of the Netherlands. Ned then
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related the massacre of his Dutch relations by the Spaniards,
and how his father had lost a leg whilst sailing
out of Antwerp. I remember me now, the Queen said.
The matter was laid before our council, and we remonstrated
with the Spanish ambassador, and he in turn accused our
seamen of having first sunk Spanish galley without cause or reason.
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And when not employed in these dangerous enterprises of which
you have been speaking, do you say that you have
been in attendance upon the Prince himself? He speaks in
his letter to my Lord Walsingham of his great confidence
in you. How came you, first a stranger and a foreigner,
to gain the confidence of so wise and prudent a prince.
He intrusted a mission to me of some slight peril,
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your majesty, and I was fortunate enough to carry it
out to his satisfaction. Tell me more of it, the
Queen said. It may be that we ourselves shall find
some employment for you, and I wish to know upon
what grounds we should place confidence in you. Tell me
fully the affair. I am not pressed for time, and
love to listen to tales of adventure. Ned thus commanded,
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related in full the story of his mission to Brussels. Truly,
the Prince's confidence was well reposed in you, she said.
When Ned had finished, you shall hear from us Anon
Captain Martin. Since you know Holland so well and our
high in the confidence of the Prince, we shall doubtless
be able to find means of utilizing your services for
the benefit of the realm. So saying, she again extended
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her hand to Ned, who, after kissing it, retired from
the audience chamber, delighted with the kindness and condescension of Elizabeth.
When he had left, the Queen said to Lord Walsingham,
a very proper young officer, Lord Walsingham, and one of
parts and intelligence, as well as of bravery. Methinks we
may find him useful in our communications with the Prince
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of Orange, and from his knowledge of the people, we
may get surer intelligence from him of the state of
feeling there with regard to the alliance they are proposing
with us, and to their offers to come under our protection,
than we can from our own envoy. It is advisable, too,
at times to have two mouthpieces, the one to speak
in the public ear, the other to deliver our private
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sentiments and plans. He is young for so great a responsibility,
Lord Walsingham said, hesitatingly. If the Prince of Orange did
not find him too young to act in matters in
which the slightest indiscretion might bring a score of heads
to the block, I think that we can trust him,
my Lord. In some respects, his youth will be a
distinct advantage. Did we send a personage of age and
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rank to Holland, it might be suspected that he had
a special mission from us, and our envoy might complain
that we were treating behind his back. But a young
officer like this could come and go without attracting observation,
and without even Philip's spies, suspecting that he was dabbling
in affairs of state. At this time, indeed, the Queen was,
as she had long been, playing a double game with
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the Netherlands. Holland and Zealand were begging the Prince to
assume absolute power. The Prince of Orange, who had no
ambition whatever for himself, was endeavoring to negotiate with either
England or France to take the estates under their protection. Elizabeth,
while jealous of France, was unwilling to incur the expenditure
in men and still more money that would be necessary
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were she to assume protection of Holland as its sovereign
under the title offered to her of Countess of Holland.
And Yet, though unwilling to do this herself, she was
still more unwilling to see France step in and occupy
the position offered to her, while above all, she shrank
from engaging at present in a life and death struggle
with Spain. Thus, while ever assuring the Prince of Orange
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of her good will, she abstained from rendering any absolute assistance,
although continuing to hold out hopes that she would later
on accept the sovereignty offered. For the next three weeks,
Ned remained quietly at home. The gatherings in the summer
house were more largely attended than ever, and the old
sailors were never tired of hearing from Ned stories of
the sieges in Holland. It was a continual source of
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wonder to them. How will Martin's son, who had seemed
to them a boy like other boys, should have gone
through such perilous adventures, should have had the honor of
being in the Prince of Orange's confidence, and the still
greater honor of being received by the Queen and allowed
to kiss her hand. It was little more than two
years back that Ned had been a boy among them,
never venturing to give his opinion unless first addressed. And
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now he was a young man with a quiet and
assured manner, and bearing himself rather as a young noble
of the court than the son of a sea captain
like themselves. It was all very wonderful, and scarce seemed
to them natural, especially as Ned was as quiet and
unaffected as he had been as a boy, and gave
himself no heirs whatever, on the strength of the good
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fortune that had befallen him. Much of his time was
spent in assisting his aunt to get her new house
in order and in aiding her to move into it.
This had just been accomplished when he received an order
to go down to Greenwich and call upon Lord Walsingham.
He received from him dispatches to be delivered to the
Prince of Orange, together with many verbal directions for the
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Prince's private ear. He was charged to ascertain, as far
as possible, the Prince's inclinations towards a French alliance, and
what ground he had for encouragement from the French King.
Upon your return, Captain Martin, you will render me an
account of all expenses you have borne, and they will
of course be defrayed. My expenses will be but small,
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my Lord ned replied, For it chances that my father's
ship sails tomorrow for Rotterdam, and I shall take passage
in her while there. I am sure that the Prince,
whose hospitality is boundless, will insist upon my staying with
him as his guest. And indeed it seems to me
that this would be best so, for having so long
been a member of his household. It will seem to
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all that I have but returned to resume my former position.
The public service in the days of Queen Elizabeth was
not sought for by men for the sake of gain.
It was considered the highest honor to serve the Queen,
and those employed on embassies, missions, and even in military
commands spent large sums and sometimes almost beggared themselves in
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order to keep up a dignity worthy of their position,
considering themselves amply repaid for any sacrifices by receiving an
expression of the royal approval. Ned Martin therefore returned home
greatly elated at the honorable mission that had been entrusted
to him. His father, however, although also gratified at Ned's
reception at court and employment in the Queen's service, looked
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at it from the matter of fact point of view.
It is all very well, Ned, he said, as they
were talking the matter over in family conclave in the evening.
And I do not deny that I share in the
satisfaction that all these women are expressing. It is a
high honor that you should be employed on a mission
for her Majesty, and there are scores of young nobles
who would be delighted to be employed in such service.
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But you see, Ned, you are not a young noble,
And although honor is a fine thing, it will buy
neither bread nor cheese. If you were the heir to
great estates, you would naturally rejoice in rendering services which
might bring you into favor at court, and when for
you honor and public standing. But you see, you are
the son of a master mariner, happily the owner of
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his own ship and of other properties which are sufficient
to keep him in comfort, but which will naturally, at
the death of your mother and myself go to the girls,
while you will have the good venture and my share
in other vessels. But these are businesses that want looking after,
and the income would go but a little way to
support you in a position at court. You have now
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been two years away from the sea. That matters little.
But if you were to continue in the royal service
for a time, you would surely become unfitted to return
to the rough life of a master mariner. Fair words,
butter no parsnip ned honor and royal service empty the
purse instead of filling it. It behooves you to think
these matters over. I am surprised at you will, Dame
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Martin said, I should have thought that you would have
been proud of the credit and honor that Ned is winning.
Why all our neighbors are talking of nothing else. All
our neighbors will not be called upon wife to pay
for Master Ned's support, to provide him with courtly garments,
and enable him to maintain a position which will do
credit to his royal mistress. I am proud of Ned,
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as proud as any one can, but that is no
reason why I should be willing to see him spend
his life as a needy hanger on of the court,
rather than as a British sailor, bearing a good name
in the city and earning a fair living by honest trade.
Ned knows that I am speaking only for his own good.
Court favor is but an empty thing, and our good
Queen is fickle in her likings and has never any
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hesitation in disavowing the proceedings of her envoys. When a
man has broad lands to fall back upon, he can
risk the loss of court favor, and can go into
retirement assured that sooner or later he will again have
his turn. But such is not Ned's position. I say
not that I wish him at once to draw back
from this course, but I would have him soberly think
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it over and judge whether it is one that, in
the long run, is likely to prove successful. Missus Martin,
her sister in law, and the four girls looked anxiously
at ned. They had, all, since the day that he
was first sent for to Greenwich, been in a high
state of delight at the honor that had befallen him
and his father words had fallen like a douche of
cold water upon their aspirations. I fully recognize the truth
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of what you say, father, he said, after a pause,
and I will think it deeply over, which I shall
have time to do before my return from Holland assuredly,
it is not a matter to be lightly decided. It
may mean that this royal service may lead to some
position of profit as well as honor, although now as
you have put it to me, I own that the
prospect seems to me to be a slight one, and
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that where so many are ready to serve for honor alone,
the chance of employment for one requiring money as well
as honor is but small. However, there can be no
need for instant decision. I am so fond of the
sea that I am sure that even if away from
it for two or three years, I should be ready
and willing to return to it. I am as yet
but little over eighteen, and even if I remained in
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the Royal service until twenty one, I should still have
lost but little of my life, and should not be
too old to take to the sea again. In time
I shall see more plainly what the the views of
Lord Walsingham are concerning me, and whether there is a
prospect of advancement in the service. He will know that
I cannot afford to give my life to the Queen's
service without pay, not being, as you say, a noble
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or a great landowner. That is very well spoken. Ned
his father said, there is no need in any way
for you to come to any resolution on the subject
at present. I shall be well content to wait until
you come of age, as you say. By that time
you will see whether this is but a brief wind
of royal favor, or whether my Lord Walsingham designs to
continue you in the Royal service and to advance your fortunes.
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I find that I am able to get on board
a ship better than I had expected, and have no
wish to retire from the sea at present. Therefore there
will be plenty of time for you to decide when
you get to the age of one and twenty. Nevertheless,
this talk will not have been without advantage, for it
will be far better for you not to have set
your mind altogether upon court service, and you will, then,
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if you finally decide to return to the sea, not
have to suffer such disappointment as you would do had
you regarded it as a fixed thing that some great
fortune was coming to you. So let it be an
understood thing that this matter remains entirely open until you
come to the age of twenty one. Ned accordingly went
backwards and forwards to Holland for the next two years,
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bearing letters and messages between the Queen and the Prince
of Orange. There was some pause in military operations after
the relief of Leiden. Negotiations had for a long time
gone on between the King of Spain, acting by Royal
commissioners on the one side, and the Prince and the
Estates on the other. The royal commissioners were willing in
his name to make considerable concessions to withdraw the Spanish
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troops from the country and to permit the Estates General
to assemble, But as they persisted that all heretics should
either recant or leave the provinces. No possible agreement could
be arrived at, as the question of religion was at
the bottom of the whole movement. During the year fifteen
seventy five, the only a military operation of importance was
the recovery by the Spaniards of the island of Scalvin, which,
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with its chief town xerox Z, was recovered by a
most daring feat of arms, the Spaniards waiting for miles
through water up to the neck on a wild and
stormy night, and making their way across in spite of
the efforts of the Zealanders in their ships. Xerix Z
indeed resisted for many months and finally surrendered only to hunger,
the garrison obtaining good terms from the Spaniards, who were
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so anxious for its possession that to obtain it they
were even willing for once to forego their vengeance for
the long resistance it had offered. In March fifteen seventy six,
while the siege was still going on, Requizene died suddenly
of a violent fever brought on partly by anxiety caused
by another mutiny of the troops this mutiny more than
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counterbalanced the advantage gained by the capture of the island
of Scalvin, for after taking possession of it, the soldiers
engaged in the service at once joined the mutiny and
marched away into Braba. The position of Holland had gone
from bad to worse. The utmost efforts of the population
were needed to repair the broken dikes and again recover
the submerged lands. So bare was the country of animals
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of all kinds that it had become necessary to pass
a law forbidding for a considerable period the slaughter of oxen, cows, calves,
sheep or poultry. Holland and Zealand had now united in
a confederacy of which the Prince was at the head,
and by an act of Union in June fifteen seventy five,
the two little republics became virtually one. Among the powers
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and duties granted to the Prince, he was to maintain
the practice of the Reformed evangelical religion, and to cause
to cease the exercise of all other religions contrary to
the Gospel. He was, however, not to permit that inquisition
should be made into any man's belief or conscience, or
that any man by cause thereof should suffer trouble, injury,
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or hindrance. Upon one point only the Prince had been peremptory,
he would have no persecution. In the original terms. He
had been requested to suppress the Catholic religion, but had
altered the words into religion at variance with the Gospel.
Almost alone, at a time when everyone was intolerant, the
Prince of Orange was firmly resolved that all men should
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have liberty of conscience. Holland suffered a great loss when
Admiral Boisseau fell in endeavoring to relieve xeric Z. The
harbor had been surrounded by Spaniards by a submerged dike
of piles of rubbish. Against this, Boisseaux drove his ship,
which was the largest of his fleet. He did not
succeed in breaking through the tide ebbed, and left his
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ship aground while the other vessels were beaten back. Rather
than fall into the hands of the enemy, he and
three hundred of his companions sprang overboard and endeavored to
effect their escape by swimming, but darkness came on before
he could be picked up, and he perished by drowning.
The mutiny among the Spanish regiments spread rapidly, and the
greater part of the German troops of Spain took part
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in it. The mutineers held the various citadels throughout the
country and ravaged the towns, villages and open country. The
condition of the people of Brabant was worse than ever.
Despair led them to turn again to the provinces, which
had so long resisted the authority of Spain and the
fifteen other states. At the invitation of the Prince, sent
deputies to Ghent to a general Congress to arrange for
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a close union between the whole of the provinces of
the Netherlands. Risings took place in all parts of the country,
but they were always repressed by the Spaniards, who, though
in open mutiny against their king and officers, had no
idea of permitting the people of the Netherlands to recover
the liberty that had, at the cost of so much blood,
been wrung from them. Mastrich drove out its garrison, but
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the Spaniards advanced against the town, seized a vast number
of women, and placing these before them, advanced to the assault.
The citizens dared not fire, as many of their own
wives or sisters were among the women. The town was
therefore taken, and a hideous massacre followed. Ned Martin had
now been two years engaged upon various missions to Holland,
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and Lord Walsingham himself acknowledged to his mistress that her
choice of the young officer had been a singularly good one.
He had conducted himself with great discretion. His reports were
full and minute, and he had several times had audiences
with the Queen and had personally related to her matters
of importance concerning the state of Holland and the views
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of the Prince and the Estates general. The Congress at
Ghent and the agitation throughout the whole of the Netherlands
had created a lively interest in England, and ned received
orders to visit Ghent and Antwerp and to ascertain more
surely the probability of an organization of the provinces into
a general confederation. When he reached Ghent, he found that
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the attention of the citizens was for the time chiefly
occupied with the siege of the citadel, which was held
by a Spanish garrison, and he therefore proceeded to Antwerp.
This was at the time probably the wealthiest city in Europe.
It carried on the largest commerce in the world. Its
warehouses were full of the treasures of all countries. Its
merchants vied with princes in splendor. The proud city was dominated, however,
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by its citadel, which had been erected not for the
purpose of external defense but to overawe the town. The
governor of the garrison, d'avola, had been all along recognized
as one of the leaders of the mutiny. The town
itself was garrisoned by Germans, who still held aloof from
the mutiny, but who had been tampered with by him.
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The governor of the city, Champagnee, although a sincere Catholic,
hated the Spaniards and had entered into negotiations with the Prince.
The citizens thought at present but little of the common cause,
their thoughts being absorbed by fears of their own safety,
threatened by the mutinous Spanish troops, who had already captured
and sacked a lost and were now assembling with the
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evident intention of gathering for themselves the rich booty contained
within the walls of Antwerp. They approached the town a
force of five thousand Walloon infantry and twelve hundred cavalry
were dispatched from Brussels to the aid of its sister city.
No sooner, however, did this force enter the town than
it broke into a mutiny, which was only repressed with
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the greatest difficulty by Champagnie. It was at this moment
that Ned entered the city. He at once communicated with
the Governor and delivered to him some messages with which
he had been charged by the Prince of Orange, whom
he had visited on his way. Had you arrived three
days since, I could have discussed these matters with you,
the governor said. But as it is, we are hourly
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expecting attack and can think of nothing but preparations for defense.
I shall be glad if you can assist me in
that direction. After the German garrison are traitors. The Walloons
who have just entered are in no way to be
relied upon, and it is the Burghers themselves upon whom
the defense of the town must really fall. They are
now engaged in raising a rampart facing the citadel. I
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am at once proceeding thither to Superintendent Ned accompanied the
Governor to the spot, and found twelve thousand men and
women laboring earnestly to erect a rampart constructed of bales
of goods, casks of earth, upturned wagons, and other bulky objects.
The guns of the fortress opened upon the workers and
so impeded them that night fell before the fortifications were
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nearly completed. Unfortunately, it was bright moonlight, and the artillerymen
continued their fire with such accuracy that the work was
at last abandoned and the citizens retired to their homes.
Champagnee did all that was possible, aided by some burghers
and his own servants. He planted what few cannon there
were at the weakest points, but his general directions were
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all neglected, and not even scouts were posted. In the morning,
a heavy mist hung over the city and concealed the
arrival of the Spanish troops from all the towns and
fortresses in the neighbourhood. As soon as it was fairly daylight,
the defenders mustered. The marquis of have claimed for the
Walloons the post of honour in defense of the lines
facing the citadel, and six thousand men were disposed here,
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while the bulk of the German garrison were stationed in
the principal squares. At ten o'clock the mutineers from Alost
marched into the citadel, raising the force there to five
thousand veteran infantry and six hundred cavalry. Ned had been
all night at work assisting the governor. He had now
laid aside his ordinary attire and was clad in complete armor.
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He was not there to fight, but there was clearly
nothing else to do, unless, indeed, he made his escape
at once to the fleet of the Prince of Orange,
which was lying in the river. This he did not
like doing, until it was clear that all was lost.
He had seen the Dutch Burghers beat back the most
desperate assaults of the Spanish troops, and assuredly the Walloons
and Germans, who without counting the Burghers considerably exceeded the
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force of the enemy, ought to be able to do
the same. Just before daybreak, he made his way down
to the quays, ascertained the exact position of the fleet,
and determined how he had best get on. He chose
a small boat from among those lying at the quay,
and removed it to the foot of some stairs by
a bridge. He fastened the head rope to a ring
and pushed the boat off so that it lay under
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the bridge, concealed from the sight of any who might
pass along the wharves. Having thus prepared for his own safety,
he was making his way to rejoin the Governor when
a woman came out from a house in a quiet street.
As she met him, he started, Why, Magdalen, he exclaimed,
is it you? What are you doing in Antwerp? Is
the countess here? The woman looked at him in surprise.
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Don't you remember me, Magdalen, the boy you dressed up
as a girl in Brussels, and whom you last saw
at Maastricht. Bless me, the old servant exclaimed, Is it you, sir?
I should never have known you again? Three years make
a great deal of difference, ned laughed, And it is
more than that now since we last met. Please to
come in, sir. The Countess will be right glad to
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see you, and so will Miss Gertrude. They have talked
of you hundreds of times and wondered what had become
of you. She opened the door again with the great
key and led the way into the house. Mistress, she said,
showing the way into the parlor. Here is a visitor
for you. The countess and her daughter had, like every
one else in Antwerp, been up all night, and rose
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from her seat by the fire. As the young officer entered.
He took off his helmet and bowed deeply. What is
your business with me, the countess asked, seeing that he
did not speak. I have not come exactly upon business, Countess,
he replied, but to thank you for past kindnesses. Mother,
it is the English boy, exclaimed the young lady, sitting
upon the side of the fire, rising from her seat, Surely, sir,
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you are Master Edward Martin. Your eyes are not in
fault for a line. I am Edward Martin. I am
glad indeed to see you, sir, The Countess said, how
often my daughter and I have longed for the time
when we might again meet you, to tell how grateful
we are for the service you did us. I wonder
now that I did not recognize you, but you have
changed from a lad into a man. You must remember
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it is more than four years since we were together
at Brussels. As for the meeting near Maustricht, it was
such a short one, and I was so full of
joy at the thought that Gertrude and I had escaped
the fearful danger hanging over us that I scarce noticed
your appearance, nor had we any time to talk. Then
we received the letter you wrote after leaving us at
Brussels from the Hague, telling us that you had arrived
(28:22):
there safely. But since you did us that service at Mustricht,
we have never heard of you. I had not your address,
Ned replied, And even had I known where you were,
I should not have dared to write, for there was
no saying into whose hands the letter might not fall.
But Countess, excuse me if I turned to other matters,
for the time presses sorely. You know that the city
will be attacked to day, so every one, says the
(28:45):
Countess replied, But surely you do not think that there
is any danger. The Walloons and Germans should be able
alone to hold the barricades, and behind them are all
the citizens. I put little faith in the Walloons, Ned
said shortly, and some of the Germans we know have
been bribed. I would rather that all were out of
the way, and that it were left to the Burghers
alone to defend the barricades. I have seen how the
(29:07):
citizens of the Netherlands can fight at Harlem and Alkmar.
As for these Walloons, I have no faith in them.
I fear, Countess, that the danger is great, and if
the Spaniards succeed in winning their way into the town,
there is no mercy to be expected for man, woman
or child. I consider that it would be madness for
you to stay here. But what are we to do, sir,
(29:28):
the Countess asked. The only way, Madam, is to make
your way on board the Prince's fleet. I am known
to many of the officers and can place you on
board at once. If you wait until the Spaniards enter,
it will be too late. There will be a wild
rush to the river and the boats will be swamped.
If the attack fails and the Spaniards retire from before
the city, you can, if you choose, return to shore,
(29:50):
though I should say that even then it will be
better by far to go to Rotterdam or Delft, unless
you decide to do as you once talked about, to
find a refuge for a time in England. I will
accept your offer gladly, Sir, the Countess said, I have
long been looking for some way to leave the city,
but none can go on board the ships without a pass,
and I have not dared to ask for one. Not
(30:12):
for worlds would I expose my daughter to the horrors
of a sack. Can we go at once? Yes, Madam.
I have everything in readiness and would advise no delay.
I have nothing that I need mind leaving behind. I am,
as you see, more comfortable here than I was at Brussels,
but I am still forced to keep my concealment. In
five minutes we shall be ready. End of Chapter nineteen
Chapter nineteen of by Pike and Dike, A Tale of
the Rise of the Dutch Republic. This LibriVox recording is
in the public domain by Pike and Dike by G. A. Henty,
Chapter nineteen, The Queen's Service. A few days after Ned's
return home, his aunt and cousins moved into a house
close by which they had taken a short time before.
(00:22):
Dame Plomart's half of the property purchased with the money
that had been transmitted by her father in law and
his sons to England, being ample to keep them in
considerable comfort. Just as Ned was leaving Delft, some despatches
had been placed in his hands for delivery upon his
arrival in London to Lord Walsingham. The Great Minister was
in attendance upon the Queen at Greenwich, and thither Ned
(00:44):
proceeded by boat on the morning after his arrival. On
stating that he was the bearer of despatches from the
Prince of Orange, Ned at once obtained an audience, and,
bowing deeply, presented his letters to the Queen's counselor. The
latter opened the letter addressed to himself, and, after reading
a few words, said be seated Captain Martin. The Prince
(01:05):
tells me that he sends it by your hand, but
that as you are prostrate by fever, you will be
unable to deliver it personally. I am glad to see
that you are so far recovered. Ned seated himself while
Lord Walsingham continued the perusal of his despatches. The Prince
is pleased to speak in very high terms of you,
Captain Martin, he said, and tells me that as you
(01:27):
are entirely in his confidence, you will be able to
give me much information besides that that he is able
to write. He then proceeded to question Ned at length
as to the state of feeling in Holland, its resources,
and means of resistance, upon all of which points Ned
replied fully. The interview lasted near two hours, at the
end of which time Lord Walsingham said, when I hand
(01:50):
the letter enclosed within my own to the Queen, I
shall report to her Majesty very favorably as to your intelligence.
And it may possibly be that she may desire to
speak to you herself, for she is deeply interested in
this matter, and although circumstances have prevented her showing that
warmth for the welfare of Holland, that she feels she
(02:10):
has no less the interest of that country at heart,
and will be well pleased to find that one of
her subjects has been rendering such assistance, as the Prince
is pleased to acknowledge in his letter to me. Please, therefore,
to leave your address with my secretary in the next room,
in order that I may communicate with you if necessary.
(02:31):
Two days later, one of the royal servants brought a
message that Captain Martin was to present himself on the
following day at Greenwich, as Her Majesty would be pleased
to grant him an audience, knowing that the Queen loved
that those around her should be bravely attired, ned dressed
himself in the suit that he had only worn once
or twice when he had attended the Prince to meetings
(02:51):
of the Estates. It was of a peuce colored satin
slashed with green, with a short mantle of the same material,
with the cape embroidered in silver. The bonnet was to
match with a small white feather. He placed the chain
the Prince had given him round his neck, and with
an ample ruff and manchets of Flemish lace, and his
rapier by his side. He took his place in the
(03:12):
boat and was rowed to Greenwich. He felt some trepidation
as he was ushered in. A page conducted him to
the end of the chamber, where the Queen was standing,
with Lord Walsingham at her side. Ned bowed profoundly. The
Queen held out her hand, and, bending on one knee,
Ned reverently placed it to his lips. I am gratified,
Captain Martin, she said, at the manner in which my
(03:35):
good cousin, the Prince of Orange, has been pleased to
speak of your services to him. You are young, indeed, Sir,
to have passed through such perilous adventures, and I would
fain hear from your lips the account of the deliverance
of Leiden, and of such other matters as you have
taken part in. The Queen then seated herself and Ned
(03:56):
related modestly the events at Lyden, Harlem Alkmar, and the
two sea fights in which he had taken part. The
Queen several times questioned him closely as to the various details.
We are much interested, she said, in these fights in
which the Burghers of Holland have supported themselves against the
soldiers of Spain, seeing that we may ourselves some day
(04:18):
have to maintain ourselves against that power. How comes it,
young sir, that you came to mix yourself up in
these matters. We know that many of our subjects have
crossed the water to fight against the Spaniards, But these
are for the most part restless spirits, who are attracted
as much, perhaps by a love of adventure, as by
their sympathy with the people of the Netherlands. Ned then
(04:41):
related the massacre of his Dutch relations by the Spaniards,
and how his father had lost a leg whilst sailing
out of Antwerp. I remember me now, the Queen said.
The matter was laid before our council, and we remonstrated
with the Spanish ambassador, and he in turn accused our
seamen of having first sunk Spanish galley without cause or reason.
(05:02):
And when not employed in these dangerous enterprises of which
you have been speaking, do you say that you have
been in attendance upon the Prince himself? He speaks in
his letter to my Lord Walsingham of his great confidence
in you. How came you, first a stranger and a foreigner,
to gain the confidence of so wise and prudent a prince.
He intrusted a mission to me of some slight peril,
(05:25):
your majesty, and I was fortunate enough to carry it
out to his satisfaction. Tell me more of it, the
Queen said. It may be that we ourselves shall find
some employment for you, and I wish to know upon
what grounds we should place confidence in you. Tell me
fully the affair. I am not pressed for time, and
love to listen to tales of adventure. Ned thus commanded,
(05:46):
related in full the story of his mission to Brussels. Truly,
the Prince's confidence was well reposed in you, she said.
When Ned had finished, you shall hear from us Anon
Captain Martin. Since you know Holland so well and our
high in the confidence of the Prince, we shall doubtless
be able to find means of utilizing your services for
the benefit of the realm. So saying, she again extended
(06:09):
her hand to Ned, who, after kissing it, retired from
the audience chamber, delighted with the kindness and condescension of Elizabeth.
When he had left, the Queen said to Lord Walsingham,
a very proper young officer, Lord Walsingham, and one of
parts and intelligence, as well as of bravery. Methinks we
may find him useful in our communications with the Prince
(06:30):
of Orange, and from his knowledge of the people, we
may get surer intelligence from him of the state of
feeling there with regard to the alliance they are proposing
with us, and to their offers to come under our protection,
than we can from our own envoy. It is advisable, too,
at times to have two mouthpieces, the one to speak
in the public ear, the other to deliver our private
(06:52):
sentiments and plans. He is young for so great a responsibility,
Lord Walsingham said, hesitatingly. If the Prince of Orange did
not find him too young to act in matters in
which the slightest indiscretion might bring a score of heads
to the block, I think that we can trust him,
my Lord. In some respects, his youth will be a
distinct advantage. Did we send a personage of age and
(07:15):
rank to Holland, it might be suspected that he had
a special mission from us, and our envoy might complain
that we were treating behind his back. But a young
officer like this could come and go without attracting observation,
and without even Philip's spies, suspecting that he was dabbling
in affairs of state. At this time, indeed, the Queen was,
as she had long been, playing a double game with
(07:37):
the Netherlands. Holland and Zealand were begging the Prince to
assume absolute power. The Prince of Orange, who had no
ambition whatever for himself, was endeavoring to negotiate with either
England or France to take the estates under their protection. Elizabeth,
while jealous of France, was unwilling to incur the expenditure
in men and still more money that would be necessary
(07:58):
were she to assume protection of Holland as its sovereign
under the title offered to her of Countess of Holland.
And Yet, though unwilling to do this herself, she was
still more unwilling to see France step in and occupy
the position offered to her, while above all, she shrank
from engaging at present in a life and death struggle
with Spain. Thus, while ever assuring the Prince of Orange
(08:20):
of her good will, she abstained from rendering any absolute assistance,
although continuing to hold out hopes that she would later
on accept the sovereignty offered. For the next three weeks,
Ned remained quietly at home. The gatherings in the summer
house were more largely attended than ever, and the old
sailors were never tired of hearing from Ned stories of
the sieges in Holland. It was a continual source of
(08:44):
wonder to them. How will Martin's son, who had seemed
to them a boy like other boys, should have gone
through such perilous adventures, should have had the honor of
being in the Prince of Orange's confidence, and the still
greater honor of being received by the Queen and allowed
to kiss her hand. It was little more than two
years back that Ned had been a boy among them,
never venturing to give his opinion unless first addressed. And
(09:07):
now he was a young man with a quiet and
assured manner, and bearing himself rather as a young noble
of the court than the son of a sea captain
like themselves. It was all very wonderful, and scarce seemed
to them natural, especially as Ned was as quiet and
unaffected as he had been as a boy, and gave
himself no heirs whatever, on the strength of the good
(09:28):
fortune that had befallen him. Much of his time was
spent in assisting his aunt to get her new house
in order and in aiding her to move into it.
This had just been accomplished when he received an order
to go down to Greenwich and call upon Lord Walsingham.
He received from him dispatches to be delivered to the
Prince of Orange, together with many verbal directions for the
(09:48):
Prince's private ear. He was charged to ascertain, as far
as possible, the Prince's inclinations towards a French alliance, and
what ground he had for encouragement from the French King.
Upon your return, Captain Martin, you will render me an
account of all expenses you have borne, and they will
of course be defrayed. My expenses will be but small,
(10:10):
my Lord ned replied, For it chances that my father's
ship sails tomorrow for Rotterdam, and I shall take passage
in her while there. I am sure that the Prince,
whose hospitality is boundless, will insist upon my staying with
him as his guest. And indeed it seems to me
that this would be best so, for having so long
been a member of his household. It will seem to
(10:31):
all that I have but returned to resume my former position.
The public service in the days of Queen Elizabeth was
not sought for by men for the sake of gain.
It was considered the highest honor to serve the Queen,
and those employed on embassies, missions, and even in military
commands spent large sums and sometimes almost beggared themselves in
(10:51):
order to keep up a dignity worthy of their position,
considering themselves amply repaid for any sacrifices by receiving an
expression of the royal approval. Ned Martin therefore returned home
greatly elated at the honorable mission that had been entrusted
to him. His father, however, although also gratified at Ned's
reception at court and employment in the Queen's service, looked
(11:12):
at it from the matter of fact point of view.
It is all very well, Ned, he said, as they
were talking the matter over in family conclave in the evening.
And I do not deny that I share in the
satisfaction that all these women are expressing. It is a
high honor that you should be employed on a mission
for her Majesty, and there are scores of young nobles
who would be delighted to be employed in such service.
(11:35):
But you see, Ned, you are not a young noble,
And although honor is a fine thing, it will buy
neither bread nor cheese. If you were the heir to
great estates, you would naturally rejoice in rendering services which
might bring you into favor at court, and when for
you honor and public standing. But you see, you are
the son of a master mariner, happily the owner of
(11:56):
his own ship and of other properties which are sufficient
to keep him in comfort, but which will naturally, at
the death of your mother and myself go to the girls,
while you will have the good venture and my share
in other vessels. But these are businesses that want looking after,
and the income would go but a little way to
support you in a position at court. You have now
(12:16):
been two years away from the sea. That matters little.
But if you were to continue in the royal service
for a time, you would surely become unfitted to return
to the rough life of a master mariner. Fair words,
butter no parsnip ned honor and royal service empty the
purse instead of filling it. It behooves you to think
these matters over. I am surprised at you will, Dame
(12:38):
Martin said, I should have thought that you would have
been proud of the credit and honor that Ned is winning.
Why all our neighbors are talking of nothing else. All
our neighbors will not be called upon wife to pay
for Master Ned's support, to provide him with courtly garments,
and enable him to maintain a position which will do
credit to his royal mistress. I am proud of Ned,
(12:58):
as proud as any one can, but that is no
reason why I should be willing to see him spend
his life as a needy hanger on of the court,
rather than as a British sailor, bearing a good name
in the city and earning a fair living by honest trade.
Ned knows that I am speaking only for his own good.
Court favor is but an empty thing, and our good
Queen is fickle in her likings and has never any
(13:21):
hesitation in disavowing the proceedings of her envoys. When a
man has broad lands to fall back upon, he can
risk the loss of court favor, and can go into
retirement assured that sooner or later he will again have
his turn. But such is not Ned's position. I say
not that I wish him at once to draw back
from this course, but I would have him soberly think
(13:42):
it over and judge whether it is one that, in
the long run, is likely to prove successful. Missus Martin,
her sister in law, and the four girls looked anxiously
at ned. They had, all, since the day that he
was first sent for to Greenwich, been in a high
state of delight at the honor that had befallen him
and his father words had fallen like a douche of
cold water upon their aspirations. I fully recognize the truth
(14:06):
of what you say, father, he said, after a pause,
and I will think it deeply over, which I shall
have time to do before my return from Holland assuredly,
it is not a matter to be lightly decided. It
may mean that this royal service may lead to some
position of profit as well as honor, although now as
you have put it to me, I own that the
prospect seems to me to be a slight one, and
(14:27):
that where so many are ready to serve for honor alone,
the chance of employment for one requiring money as well
as honor is but small. However, there can be no
need for instant decision. I am so fond of the
sea that I am sure that even if away from
it for two or three years, I should be ready
and willing to return to it. I am as yet
but little over eighteen, and even if I remained in
(14:49):
the Royal service until twenty one, I should still have
lost but little of my life, and should not be
too old to take to the sea again. In time
I shall see more plainly what the the views of
Lord Walsingham are concerning me, and whether there is a
prospect of advancement in the service. He will know that
I cannot afford to give my life to the Queen's
service without pay, not being, as you say, a noble
(15:12):
or a great landowner. That is very well spoken. Ned
his father said, there is no need in any way
for you to come to any resolution on the subject
at present. I shall be well content to wait until
you come of age, as you say. By that time
you will see whether this is but a brief wind
of royal favor, or whether my Lord Walsingham designs to
continue you in the Royal service and to advance your fortunes.
(15:36):
I find that I am able to get on board
a ship better than I had expected, and have no
wish to retire from the sea at present. Therefore there
will be plenty of time for you to decide when
you get to the age of one and twenty. Nevertheless,
this talk will not have been without advantage, for it
will be far better for you not to have set
your mind altogether upon court service, and you will, then,
(15:57):
if you finally decide to return to the sea, not
have to suffer such disappointment as you would do had
you regarded it as a fixed thing that some great
fortune was coming to you. So let it be an
understood thing that this matter remains entirely open until you
come to the age of twenty one. Ned accordingly went
backwards and forwards to Holland for the next two years,
(16:18):
bearing letters and messages between the Queen and the Prince
of Orange. There was some pause in military operations after
the relief of Leiden. Negotiations had for a long time
gone on between the King of Spain, acting by Royal
commissioners on the one side, and the Prince and the
Estates on the other. The royal commissioners were willing in
his name to make considerable concessions to withdraw the Spanish
(16:42):
troops from the country and to permit the Estates General
to assemble, But as they persisted that all heretics should
either recant or leave the provinces. No possible agreement could
be arrived at, as the question of religion was at
the bottom of the whole movement. During the year fifteen
seventy five, the only a military operation of importance was
the recovery by the Spaniards of the island of Scalvin, which,
(17:05):
with its chief town xerox Z, was recovered by a
most daring feat of arms, the Spaniards waiting for miles
through water up to the neck on a wild and
stormy night, and making their way across in spite of
the efforts of the Zealanders in their ships. Xerix Z
indeed resisted for many months and finally surrendered only to hunger,
the garrison obtaining good terms from the Spaniards, who were
(17:28):
so anxious for its possession that to obtain it they
were even willing for once to forego their vengeance for
the long resistance it had offered. In March fifteen seventy six,
while the siege was still going on, Requizene died suddenly
of a violent fever brought on partly by anxiety caused
by another mutiny of the troops this mutiny more than
(17:48):
counterbalanced the advantage gained by the capture of the island
of Scalvin, for after taking possession of it, the soldiers
engaged in the service at once joined the mutiny and
marched away into Braba. The position of Holland had gone
from bad to worse. The utmost efforts of the population
were needed to repair the broken dikes and again recover
the submerged lands. So bare was the country of animals
(18:12):
of all kinds that it had become necessary to pass
a law forbidding for a considerable period the slaughter of oxen, cows, calves,
sheep or poultry. Holland and Zealand had now united in
a confederacy of which the Prince was at the head,
and by an act of Union in June fifteen seventy five,
the two little republics became virtually one. Among the powers
(18:34):
and duties granted to the Prince, he was to maintain
the practice of the Reformed evangelical religion, and to cause
to cease the exercise of all other religions contrary to
the Gospel. He was, however, not to permit that inquisition
should be made into any man's belief or conscience, or
that any man by cause thereof should suffer trouble, injury,
(18:54):
or hindrance. Upon one point only the Prince had been peremptory,
he would have no persecution. In the original terms. He
had been requested to suppress the Catholic religion, but had
altered the words into religion at variance with the Gospel.
Almost alone, at a time when everyone was intolerant, the
Prince of Orange was firmly resolved that all men should
(19:16):
have liberty of conscience. Holland suffered a great loss when
Admiral Boisseau fell in endeavoring to relieve xeric Z. The
harbor had been surrounded by Spaniards by a submerged dike
of piles of rubbish. Against this, Boisseaux drove his ship,
which was the largest of his fleet. He did not
succeed in breaking through the tide ebbed, and left his
(19:37):
ship aground while the other vessels were beaten back. Rather
than fall into the hands of the enemy, he and
three hundred of his companions sprang overboard and endeavored to
effect their escape by swimming, but darkness came on before
he could be picked up, and he perished by drowning.
The mutiny among the Spanish regiments spread rapidly, and the
greater part of the German troops of Spain took part
(19:59):
in it. The mutineers held the various citadels throughout the
country and ravaged the towns, villages and open country. The
condition of the people of Brabant was worse than ever.
Despair led them to turn again to the provinces, which
had so long resisted the authority of Spain and the
fifteen other states. At the invitation of the Prince, sent
deputies to Ghent to a general Congress to arrange for
(20:23):
a close union between the whole of the provinces of
the Netherlands. Risings took place in all parts of the country,
but they were always repressed by the Spaniards, who, though
in open mutiny against their king and officers, had no
idea of permitting the people of the Netherlands to recover
the liberty that had, at the cost of so much blood,
been wrung from them. Mastrich drove out its garrison, but
(20:46):
the Spaniards advanced against the town, seized a vast number
of women, and placing these before them, advanced to the assault.
The citizens dared not fire, as many of their own
wives or sisters were among the women. The town was
therefore taken, and a hideous massacre followed. Ned Martin had
now been two years engaged upon various missions to Holland,
(21:07):
and Lord Walsingham himself acknowledged to his mistress that her
choice of the young officer had been a singularly good one.
He had conducted himself with great discretion. His reports were
full and minute, and he had several times had audiences
with the Queen and had personally related to her matters
of importance concerning the state of Holland and the views
(21:27):
of the Prince and the Estates general. The Congress at
Ghent and the agitation throughout the whole of the Netherlands
had created a lively interest in England, and ned received
orders to visit Ghent and Antwerp and to ascertain more
surely the probability of an organization of the provinces into
a general confederation. When he reached Ghent, he found that
(21:48):
the attention of the citizens was for the time chiefly
occupied with the siege of the citadel, which was held
by a Spanish garrison, and he therefore proceeded to Antwerp.
This was at the time probably the wealthiest city in Europe.
It carried on the largest commerce in the world. Its
warehouses were full of the treasures of all countries. Its
merchants vied with princes in splendor. The proud city was dominated, however,
(22:13):
by its citadel, which had been erected not for the
purpose of external defense but to overawe the town. The
governor of the garrison, d'avola, had been all along recognized
as one of the leaders of the mutiny. The town
itself was garrisoned by Germans, who still held aloof from
the mutiny, but who had been tampered with by him.
(22:33):
The governor of the city, Champagnee, although a sincere Catholic,
hated the Spaniards and had entered into negotiations with the Prince.
The citizens thought at present but little of the common cause,
their thoughts being absorbed by fears of their own safety,
threatened by the mutinous Spanish troops, who had already captured
and sacked a lost and were now assembling with the
(22:54):
evident intention of gathering for themselves the rich booty contained
within the walls of Antwerp. They approached the town a
force of five thousand Walloon infantry and twelve hundred cavalry
were dispatched from Brussels to the aid of its sister city.
No sooner, however, did this force enter the town than
it broke into a mutiny, which was only repressed with
(23:14):
the greatest difficulty by Champagnie. It was at this moment
that Ned entered the city. He at once communicated with
the Governor and delivered to him some messages with which
he had been charged by the Prince of Orange, whom
he had visited on his way. Had you arrived three
days since, I could have discussed these matters with you,
the governor said. But as it is, we are hourly
(23:35):
expecting attack and can think of nothing but preparations for defense.
I shall be glad if you can assist me in
that direction. After the German garrison are traitors. The Walloons
who have just entered are in no way to be
relied upon, and it is the Burghers themselves upon whom
the defense of the town must really fall. They are
now engaged in raising a rampart facing the citadel. I
(23:57):
am at once proceeding thither to Superintendent Ned accompanied the
Governor to the spot, and found twelve thousand men and
women laboring earnestly to erect a rampart constructed of bales
of goods, casks of earth, upturned wagons, and other bulky objects.
The guns of the fortress opened upon the workers and
so impeded them that night fell before the fortifications were
(24:19):
nearly completed. Unfortunately, it was bright moonlight, and the artillerymen
continued their fire with such accuracy that the work was
at last abandoned and the citizens retired to their homes.
Champagnee did all that was possible, aided by some burghers
and his own servants. He planted what few cannon there
were at the weakest points, but his general directions were
(24:41):
all neglected, and not even scouts were posted. In the morning,
a heavy mist hung over the city and concealed the
arrival of the Spanish troops from all the towns and
fortresses in the neighbourhood. As soon as it was fairly daylight,
the defenders mustered. The marquis of have claimed for the
Walloons the post of honour in defense of the lines
facing the citadel, and six thousand men were disposed here,
(25:04):
while the bulk of the German garrison were stationed in
the principal squares. At ten o'clock the mutineers from Alost
marched into the citadel, raising the force there to five
thousand veteran infantry and six hundred cavalry. Ned had been
all night at work assisting the governor. He had now
laid aside his ordinary attire and was clad in complete armor.
(25:25):
He was not there to fight, but there was clearly
nothing else to do, unless, indeed, he made his escape
at once to the fleet of the Prince of Orange,
which was lying in the river. This he did not
like doing, until it was clear that all was lost.
He had seen the Dutch Burghers beat back the most
desperate assaults of the Spanish troops, and assuredly the Walloons
and Germans, who without counting the Burghers considerably exceeded the
(25:49):
force of the enemy, ought to be able to do
the same. Just before daybreak, he made his way down
to the quays, ascertained the exact position of the fleet,
and determined how he had best get on. He chose
a small boat from among those lying at the quay,
and removed it to the foot of some stairs by
a bridge. He fastened the head rope to a ring
and pushed the boat off so that it lay under
(26:11):
the bridge, concealed from the sight of any who might
pass along the wharves. Having thus prepared for his own safety,
he was making his way to rejoin the Governor when
a woman came out from a house in a quiet street.
As she met him, he started, Why, Magdalen, he exclaimed,
is it you? What are you doing in Antwerp? Is
the countess here? The woman looked at him in surprise.
(26:32):
Don't you remember me, Magdalen, the boy you dressed up
as a girl in Brussels, and whom you last saw
at Maastricht. Bless me, the old servant exclaimed, Is it you, sir?
I should never have known you again? Three years make
a great deal of difference, ned laughed, And it is
more than that now since we last met. Please to
come in, sir. The Countess will be right glad to
(26:52):
see you, and so will Miss Gertrude. They have talked
of you hundreds of times and wondered what had become
of you. She opened the door again with the great
key and led the way into the house. Mistress, she said,
showing the way into the parlor. Here is a visitor
for you. The countess and her daughter had, like every
one else in Antwerp, been up all night, and rose
(27:14):
from her seat by the fire. As the young officer entered.
He took off his helmet and bowed deeply. What is
your business with me, the countess asked, seeing that he
did not speak. I have not come exactly upon business, Countess,
he replied, but to thank you for past kindnesses. Mother,
it is the English boy, exclaimed the young lady, sitting
upon the side of the fire, rising from her seat, Surely, sir,
(27:37):
you are Master Edward Martin. Your eyes are not in
fault for a line. I am Edward Martin. I am
glad indeed to see you, sir, The Countess said, how
often my daughter and I have longed for the time
when we might again meet you, to tell how grateful
we are for the service you did us. I wonder
now that I did not recognize you, but you have
changed from a lad into a man. You must remember
(27:59):
it is more than four years since we were together
at Brussels. As for the meeting near Maustricht, it was
such a short one, and I was so full of
joy at the thought that Gertrude and I had escaped
the fearful danger hanging over us that I scarce noticed
your appearance, nor had we any time to talk. Then
we received the letter you wrote after leaving us at
Brussels from the Hague, telling us that you had arrived
(28:22):
there safely. But since you did us that service at Mustricht,
we have never heard of you. I had not your address,
Ned replied, And even had I known where you were,
I should not have dared to write, for there was
no saying into whose hands the letter might not fall.
But Countess, excuse me if I turned to other matters,
for the time presses sorely. You know that the city
will be attacked to day, so every one, says the
(28:45):
Countess replied, But surely you do not think that there
is any danger. The Walloons and Germans should be able
alone to hold the barricades, and behind them are all
the citizens. I put little faith in the Walloons, Ned
said shortly, and some of the Germans we know have
been bribed. I would rather that all were out of
the way, and that it were left to the Burghers
alone to defend the barricades. I have seen how the
(29:07):
citizens of the Netherlands can fight at Harlem and Alkmar.
As for these Walloons, I have no faith in them.
I fear, Countess, that the danger is great, and if
the Spaniards succeed in winning their way into the town,
there is no mercy to be expected for man, woman
or child. I consider that it would be madness for
you to stay here. But what are we to do, sir,
(29:28):
the Countess asked. The only way, Madam, is to make
your way on board the Prince's fleet. I am known
to many of the officers and can place you on
board at once. If you wait until the Spaniards enter,
it will be too late. There will be a wild
rush to the river and the boats will be swamped.
If the attack fails and the Spaniards retire from before
the city, you can, if you choose, return to shore,
(29:50):
though I should say that even then it will be
better by far to go to Rotterdam or Delft, unless
you decide to do as you once talked about, to
find a refuge for a time in England. I will
accept your offer gladly, Sir, the Countess said, I have
long been looking for some way to leave the city,
but none can go on board the ships without a pass,
and I have not dared to ask for one. Not
(30:12):
for worlds would I expose my daughter to the horrors
of a sack. Can we go at once? Yes, Madam.
I have everything in readiness and would advise no delay.
I have nothing that I need mind leaving behind. I am,
as you see, more comfortable here than I was at Brussels,
but I am still forced to keep my concealment. In
five minutes we shall be ready. End of Chapter nineteen
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