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The noise of the wall, as it fell, only inspired them with fresh alarm for they believed that the citizens had sallied forth in the darkness, to aid the advancing flood in the work of destruction. All obstacles being now removed, the fleet of Boisot swept by Lammen, and entered the city on the morning of the 3rd of October. Leyden was relieved.
In his precipitate retreat before the advancing rebels, the Commander had but just found time for this elegant effusion, and, for his parting instructions to Colonel Borgia that the fortress of Lammen was to be forthwith abandoned. These having been reduced to writing, Valdez had fled so speedily as to give rise to much censure and more scandal.
Behind the strong fort of Lammen, defended by several hundred Spanish soldiers, and the Castle of Cronenstein, a keen eye could distinguish the Beggars' vessels. During Thursday and Friday Wilhelm watched in vain for a dove, but on Saturday his best flier returned, bringing a letter from Admiral Boisot, who called upon the armed forces of the city to sally out on Friday and attack Lammen.
Gradually the Spanish army had been concentrated round the city as the water drove them back, and they were principally stationed at this village and the two strong forts of Lammen and Leyderdorp, each within a few hundred yards of the town. At the last named post Valdez had his headquarters, and Colonel Borgia commanded at Lammen.
Barrier after barrier was passed, and for many an hour in the midst of the howling storm and pitchy darkness a fierce battle raged. The victorious Hollanders pushed further on, but still two forts of great strength, those of Zoeterwoude and Lammen, lay between them and the city, garrisoned by the enemy's best troops and armed with heavy artillery.
The rovers followed, leaping from their vessels and slaying all whom they could overtake, many of the fugitives perishing in the fast advancing waves as the dykes crumbled beneath their feet. But yet another fort, that of Lammen, the strongest of all, remained, held by the main body of the enemy.
Shall all this be destroyed by the Spanish guns, or shall we rush to the rescue of our friends?" "We will tear the fortress to fragments with our teeth and nails," was the reply, "before the relief, so long expected, shall be wrested from us." It was resolved that a sortie, in conjunction with the operations of Boisot, should be made against Lammen with the earliest dawn.
"We will tear the fortress first to fragments with our teeth and nails," was the reply; and it was resolved that a sortie should be made against Lammen at daybreak, when Boisot attacked it on the other side. A pitch dark night set in, a night full of anxiety to the Spaniards, to the fleet, and to Leyden.
First siege of Leyden Commencement of the second Description of the city Preparations for defence Letters of Orange Act of amnesty issued by Requesens Its conditions Its reception by the Hollanders Correspondence of the Glippers Sorties and fierce combats beneath the walls of Leyden Position of the Prince His project of relief Magnanimity of the people Breaking of the dykes Emotions in the city and the besieging camp Letter of the Estates of Holland Dangerous illness of the Prince The "wild Zealanders" Admiral Boisot commences his voyage Sanguinary combat on the Land Scheiding Occupation of that dyke and of the Green Way Pauses and Progress of the flotilla The Prince visits the fleet Horrible sufferings in the city Speech of Van der Werf Heroism of the inhabitants The Admiral's letters The storm Advance of Boisot Lammen fortress An anxious night Midnight retreat of the Spaniards The Admiral enters the city Thanksgiving in the great church The Prince in Leyden Parting words of Valdez Mutiny Leyden University founded The charter Inauguration ceremonies.
The noise of the wall, as it fell, only inspired them with fresh alarm for they believed that the citizens had sallied forth in the darkness, to aid the advancing flood in the work of destruction. All obstacles being now removed, the fleet of Boisot swept by Lammen, and entered the city on the morning of the 3rd of October. Leyden was relieved.
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