Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1908-11-19
"Brsok The Dlkes." !"

spending time and money, even Inf
itself, in their bitter struggle to bea
back the ocean. And as results o
some sort always follow continued ef
fort, by and by the land they wrestsc
from the greedy grasp of the as'
blossomed like garden; and, wher'
hideous monsters of the deep had
held their happy hunting grounds
thriving cities hummed and throbbeC
with busy life.
When the Reformation swep
through Europe like whirlwind, the
men of Holland promptly declared
for Professionalism and with William
the Silent at their head, they present'
ed to Alva and his hosts the same In
domitabls resistance that had made
them victorious in their struggle
against the sea.
Terrible things were done in the
Netherlands during the eighty years
Spain poured her armies against the
men behind the dikes. With fire and
the utterable horrors of the Inquisi-
ton, they tried to beat out the Re-
formed faith. Eutire cities we're laid
in ashes, the dead left unburied in the
streets, the living being often saved
to meet fate far worse than death.
During times when strife arouses
men to the doing Of terrible things,
close by the record of evil can always
be found stories of splendid things the
mere reading of which makes the
heart OF man glad for great deeds do
NOT perish, both their effect and their
memory lasting while the world con-
tinues to stand.
When Spain started to beat out tbs
Reformation in Holland, one Of the
first measures adopted was to demand
the charters Of the different cities /;
aud from many they were wrested at
the sharp swords point, but not from
Leydsn. Right in the heart of Hol.
land did this beautiful city stand and
she boldly dsfed the Duke Of Alva,
sending him word that if he wished
her charter he must come and get it
For a while Alva's troops were kept
too busy to make reply to this daring
challenge, but it was not forgotten,
and in 1874 Valdez, with a mighty
host at his heels, battered at the gates
of Leyden.
u have come to take the citYl" su-
nounced Valdez.
Just come right in and get 1t,
was the prompt reply from the sturdy
men who ruled Leyden. And right
then and there began an assault and
defence, followed by iege which
makes a story that the wise will read
tor themselves, for it is one of the
most thrilling incidents recorded IN
history. After repeated unsuccessful
attempts to break through thu gates
or scale the walls, Valdez announced
that he intended starving the city in
to submission.
Take these to keep your courage
up while making your plans" came
the reply. And for nearly an entire
day did the men Of Leyden pelt the
Spanish troops with loaves OF bread.
He would sell the women into slav-
cry, after butchering the men, was
the next threat sent forth by the
Spanish commander. And then the
women of Leyden mounted the walls
and poured boiling oil down upon the
besiegers.
Aroused to fury by this contempt
for his threats, Valdez attacked the
walls 80 violently that they were shat
tered in many places. But the wild
shouts of victory were soon changed
into yells of bsmsd fury; for just
within the outer stood an inner wall.
1t had been built by the men Of Ley
den at night while the Spaniards were
asleep.
Thus things went on for several
months, and then Valdez erected six
ty.siI forts around the city. shutting
off all possibility of help reaching it,
and at the same time closing every
avenue BY which food might be car
ried to the people pennsd within their
walls. BE forgot the air. though. and
day after day for five long months
we're pigeons sent to Rotterdam, bear.
ing messages to the great Stakeholder
telling him the exact condition Of al
fairs; and day after day birds few in
to LeYden. bringing strong words O
hope and encouragement from William
the Silent. who was using every means
in bis power to reach the beleaguered