Page:Augusta Seaman--Jacqueline of the carrier pigeons.djvu/294

268, as the flotilla drew nearer, not a sound came from within the fort, not a vestige  of life was to be seen anywhere. A sickening fear assailed him that the Spaniards had entered the walls during the night, which would  explain the hideous sounds he had heard, and  were already sacking the city.

Suddenly upon the summit of the breastwork appeared the figure of a small boy. With one hand he waved his cap, and in the other he brandished a great pot of hodge-podge.

“Come on! Come on!” he shouted. “They’ve gone! They fled in the night! Have no fear!” For a moment good Boisot could hardly believe his senses. But his sailors lost no time, pushed the fleet to the  very walls of the fortress and found it to be  true. Past the terrible Lammen they floated in triumph. The watching, wondering citizens of the city opened the gates with shouts of joy, and the conquering fleet sailed in. Leyden was saved!