Part 31 (2/2)
At ten o'clock the mutineers from Alost marched into the citadel, raising the force there to 5000 veteran infantry and 600 cavalry.
Ned had been all night at work a.s.sisting the governor. He had now laid aside his ordinary attire, and was clad in complete armour. 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 a.s.saults of the Spanish troops, and a.s.suredly the Walloons and Germans, who, without counting the burghers, considerably exceeded the 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 board. 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 the bridge, concealed from the sight of any who might pa.s.s 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, Magdalene!” he exclaimed, ”is it you? What are you doing in Antwerp? Is the countess here?”
The woman looked at him in surprise.
”Don't you remember me, Magdalene? the boy you dressed up as a girl at 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 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 parlour, ”here is a visitor for you.” The countess and her daughter had, like every one else in Antwerp, been up all night, and rose 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, you are Master Edward Martin?”
”Your eyes are not in fault, Fraulein. 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 it is more than four years since we were together at Brussels. As for the meeting near Maastricht, 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 there safely. But since you did us that service at Maastricht 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 turn to other matters, for the time presses sorely. You know that the city will be attacked today.”
”So every one says,” the 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 citizens of the Netherlands can fight at Haarlem and Alkmaar. 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?” 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 sh.o.r.e, 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 s.h.i.+ps without a pa.s.s, and I have not dared to ask for one. Not 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.”
CHAPTER XX
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