Page:Augusta Seaman--Jacqueline of the carrier pigeons.djvu/124

100 truly a daring and original plan, and Van der Werf's stern, harassed countenance lighted with joy when he read the missive.

“Ring the bells!” he commanded. “Call a meeting of the populace in the great  square! Order the military hands to play inspiriting music! Fire the cannons and sing lustily! Surely this news must put heart into the people!”

Then such a bedlam of sounds as rose within the walls of Leyden! Not for months had there been such a stir and life in the  streets of the half-dead city. The Spaniards outside, hearing the revelry and not in the  least understanding its cause; gazed at each  other in amazement and could only conjecture that a great army must be coming to the relief of their foes. But they were not long to remain in doubt. That night a sentinel rushed into the camp shouting:

“The water! the water! It stands ten inches deep all round the outskirts of the  Land-scheiding! The dykes have all been