Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-12-12

had Egbert Vandenvelde to let his
thoughts wander to the cottage that lay
at the dyke side, and the fireplace with
its Scriptural tiles and the dear mistress
of both. For was she not his own af-
fanced bride ? And, when peace should
be made, was he not to bring her back to
his snug little farm near Weesp, to be
the sunshine there that she had been in |
the cottage of her birth? There had been
heavy firing all day from the Northeast;
night had closed in; but still the roar
and flash of the French canon startled
the darkness. It was understood that /
Naarden was at the last extremity all
day long the road to Amsterdam had
been thronged with flyers and now,
close under the huge church of st. Law
renee, some of the bravest hearts in the
little town were assembled, and held
anxious debate as to the possibility of any
defence. Egbert Vandenvelde was among
them. The night had cleared. 1t was
chilly after the rain, and a fire hastily
kindled in the market-place, threw fan
tastic shadows on the tall brick tower of
the church, and the stepped gables, and
the quaint barge-boards of the surround
ing houses.
Suddenly, the sound of horse hoof on
the Naarden road. Five minutes suffice
to bring in the rider and tell the news.
Naarden had fallen. AT that very mo-
ment the atrocities of Woerden were be-
ing acted all over again. Defence !?
who could dream of defence BY this
time tomorrow Muiden will be in the
hands of the French; by this time day
after tomorrow, Amsterdam itself.
Muiden and Egber idle Weesd !?
He had treasure there more precious
in his eyes than all the ingots in the Stad-
huis at Amsterdam. He would ride at
once. His horse was III the little inn of
the town; it bore the sign of the Roode
Leeuw, and huge red monster dangled
and creaked backwards and forewards.
over the entrance arch. Let others take
what care they would of horses, or money
or goods, he would see Elsie and Gerard
at Amsterdam, as fast as human energy
could carry them thither.
It's nearly midnight. He rides out
of the little town. Now there is no sight
nor sound, save ruddy glow at the
northest. No that is not the break OF
day, though day aciU break in that quar-
ter. 1t is the glare of flames, even then
rioting through miserable Naarden, ard
lighting up scenes which man could
hardly believe TO exist on this side of hell.
Across rich pastures and promising bar
ley fields, over polder and fenstill he
pressed onward, traversing that low fiat
slip of land protected only by the dyke
from the waters of the Zuyder Zee
Master Kampen Master Kampen p
The old man was in his first sleep.
There had been long and anxious con-
sultation. Every thing was prepared
for fight. Men, women and children
were to start for Amsterdam at dawn Of
day.
Master Kampen Master Kampen =
and a heavy hand shook the cottage
door.
The little lattice opened above. Who
is there ? and what do you want ?"
An order from the States. Come
down at once"
The old man is standing in the door.
way, and has broken the seal of the en-
velepe "What open the dyke gates ?
1t was so carried at ten o'clock il
the Stadhuis. Let the sea have the
country rather than the French ?" was
in everybody's mouth.
Then 1 must 60 and get assistance
we shall want twenty men at least. Go,
help the miserable country p'
So he will, Master Gerard, if we hell
ourselves. Have with you to the vii
lage'"
'
All is expectation on the edge of tn
f; dyke. Before you, the calm waters 0
the Zuyder Zee, ripping in the moon
shine. Behind you, the rich fertile pas
lures of South Holland and the Sticht 6
Utrecht. At your feet, that wonderful
erection of timbers, beams of thirty inc
oak, braced with cross riyiters, and stud
L ded with massy nails; food-gates hangin
Il on mountainous mass of Norwegia
d granite bolts and bars, and undergrad
ers-the very triumph of abe carpenter
= art. Men and women, and children, O
u the GREAT dyke closer to the oreat gate,