Page:The silent prince - a story of the Netherlands (IA cu31924008716957).pdf/269

Rh "Is all lost?" said Madam Chenoweth, in faltering tones.

"No!" said her husband. "All is not lost so long as there is an almighty arm above to defend us and Prince William lives. I shall never despair while that noble man is alive. He has sent a message to the citizens of Leyden, saying that if they can hold out three months he will rescue them."

The people were strong and courageous, and stimulated by the heroic conduct of their military commandant, John Van der Does, they fully resolved to resist all overtures on the part of the enemy and to trust to the word of the Prince.

A liberally-baited trap in the form of a gracious amnesty was presented the city by the Grand Commander Requesens. The sole condition of mercy was to return to the mother Church.

"As long as there is a man left in Leyden we will contend for our liberty and our religion," was the reply of the people.

The only two persons in Leyden who availed themselves of the offer of pardon were a brewer and the son of a refugee pedler.

The garrison within the city consisted of a small corps of volunteers and five companies of burghers. Fierce combats and sorties occurred daily, and many shells were thrown into the city, causing terrible havoc. The culverines from the bastions of the forts belched forth their message of defiance