Chapter I: Preface

In my preface to _By Pike and Dyke_ I promised in a future story to deal with the closing events of the War of Independence in Holland. The period over which that war extended was so long, and the incidents were so numerous and varied, that it was impossible to include the whole within the limit of a single book. The former volume brought the story of the struggle down to the death of the Prince of Orange and the capture of Antwerp; the present gives the second phase of the war, when England, who had long unofficially assisted Holland, threw herself openly into the struggle, and by her aid mainly contributed to the successful issue of the war. In the first part of the struggle the scene lay wholly among the low lands and cities of Holland and Zeeland, and the war was strictly a defensive one, waged against overpowering odds. After England threw herself into the strife it assumed far wider proportions, and the independence of the Netherlands was mainly secured by the defeat and destruction of the great Armada, by the capture of Cadiz and the fatal blow thereby struck at the mercantile prosperity of Spain, and by the defeat of the Holy League by Henry of Navarre, aided by English soldiers and English gold. For the facts connected with the doings of Sir Francis Vere and the British contingent in Holland, I have depended much upon the excellent work by Mr. Clement Markham entitled the _Fighting Veres_. In this full justice is done to the great English general and his followers, and it is conclusively shown that some statements to the disparagement of Sir Francis Vere by Mr. Motley are founded upon a misconception of the facts. Sir Francis Vere was, in the general opinion of the time, one of the greatest commanders of the age, and more, perhaps, than any other man--with the exception of the Prince of Orange--contributed to the successful issue of the struggle of Holland to throw off the yoke of Spain.

G. A. HENTY.

CONTENTS

CHAP.

I. AN EXCURSION
II. A MEETING IN CHEPE
III. IN THE LOW COUNTRY
IV. THE SIEGE OP SLUYS
V. AN HEROIC DEFENCE
VI. THE LOSS OF THE "SUSAN"
VII. A POPISH PLOT
VIII. THE SPANISH ARMADA
IX. THE ROUT OF THE ARMADA
X. THE WAR IN HOLLAND
XI. IN SPAIN
XII. RECRUITING THEIR FUNDS
XIII. THE FESTA AT SEVILLE
XIV. THE SURPRISE OF BREDA
XV. A SLAVE IN BARBARY
XVI. THE ESCAPE
XVII. A SPANISH MERCHANT
XVIII. IVRY
XIX. STEENWYK
XX. CADIZ
XXI. THE BATTLE OF NIEUPORT
XXII. OLD FRIENDS
XXIII. THE SIEGE OF OSTEND

ILLUSTRATIONS

Geoffrey And Lionel Save Francis Vere's Life
The Four Pages Carry Down The Wounded Soldier
The Next Few Minutes It Was A Wild Struggle For Life
Geoffrey Carried Overboard By The Falling Mast
Geoffrey Gives Inez Her Lover's Note
Geoffrey Falls Into The Hands Of The Corsairs
Crossing The Bridge Of Boats Over The Haven
Vere's Horse Shot Under Him At The Fight Before Ostend

* * * * *

Plan of Sluys and the Castle, to illustrate the Siege of 1587

Plan of Breda and its Defences, illustrating its surprise and capture in 1590

Map of Cadiz and Harbour at the time of its capture in 1596, showing the position of the English and Spanish Ships

Plan of Ostend and its Defences, showing the lines of the attacking forces during the siege of 1601-4

BY ENGLAND'S AID