The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-07-26
THE DIKEs OF HOLLAND.
The Incessant Toll and Vigilance by Which
Safety Is Secured.


Safety Is Secured.
George Fl. Boughton. in Harper's Magazine.
Skirting along the dikes, we had good oppor-
tunity of seeing some Of the incessant toll, some
OF the constant engineering and battling with
the sea, to keep it at anything like safe dis
tance The dikes about this island are perhaps
the finest, the most constantly guarded in all
the country. The dike-workers are distinct
class, guild, in fact Jealous of their craft and
Its rights and privileges It is not the first
conner WHO may be regular dike-worker, even
It he should wish to be. We saw great gangs of
them going from point to point with pick and
shovel, ever on the lookout for weak spots in the
great embankment, ever refacing it with miles
OF concrete, and strengthening every point with
strong grolns running into the sea.
1t was almost pathetic tonote with what solicit
tude every blade of the binding bent-grass was
coaxed to grow. Every little tuft was watched
ana tended as if it was some choice tulip. The
TOP OF the dixie formed level firm road, stretch
ing away Tor miles. The sea looked so mild and
gray and innocent as it gently Tapped the edges
OF the mighty berriers, that it seemed an effort
70 fancy 1t an enemy capable of mischief The
breezes were simply delicious and fresh, coming
over the wide North sea- Inland, the scenery
was HAT and grim and serious Farmsteads in
the far distance looked green and fat enough.
Sheep and kline were plentiful about the rich
helds just over the edge Of the dikes were the
little scattered hamlets of the fisher people and
poldermen; the dikeworkers lived more of row
work called them from one point to another.
Sometimes the wind had blown up, and the seas
tossed up great long meandering mounds of
SAND, helping to back and strengthen the bikes.
On these blllowy hillocks the grass was careful
ly planted in little regular tufts and stunted.
pines were set wherever the tempest would spare
them to grow. All sorts Of binding vegetation
were carefully protected. The very children
knew enough to let it alone. We stop
ped at zoutland, and climbed to the top of the
dunes to look about us and sniff the sea breeze,
Down far below us lay the yillage-so far that
had the waters swept over the rim Of the sandy
dixie, the sea would have only reached it's level
when it played about the tail of the weather
cock on the gray old church tower. There are
watchers ever on the lookout, day and night,
calm and storm. No wonder that the set,
anxious look one sees on every face, that seems
TO be born with every babe, should be the only
characteristic expression one remarks among the
people herel
When the watchers of the bikes see danger,
the alarm bell is rung and every soul either flies
to the dikes for safety or TO help the gangs of
workers to stop the threatened breach. All was
calm enough at that moment, the tide was far
out, and yet the village seemed far below its
level. The cottage-window lights were twinkl-
ing in the gloom as evening was just coming on.
The church bell was tollfng for evening service,
and the warm glow of sunset just touched the
top of its tower. Through the tall lancet win
dows one could see flush of warm lamp-light
within. All sounds and sights were of peace and
calm, and yet there somehow came upon the inn
aglnaton the grim reverse of the picture; the
changing alarm bell, the hurrying to and fro the
wild tight for safety from the mad hungry sea-
We were feeling deadly oppressed by the pre-
vailing seriousness of the place