miral welcomed his
guest.

"You may rest here in security, my pretty maiden," he said; "and I trust
ere many days are over to restore you to the arms of your brave father."

Not long afterwards the order was issued for the fleet once more to
advance, and Jaqueline's heart beat high with hope, for the second dyke
was attacked. The Spaniards, scarcely stopping to encounter the enemy,
flung away their arms as they saw the dreaded sea rovers approaching.
The barrier was quickly broken, and again the fleet pushed forward over
the submerged country till it reached North Aa. Scarcely, however, had
the ships arrived there than once more the easterly wind began to blow,
driving the waters away from the city. Lower and lower they sank, until
the ships grounded, and further progress became impossible. The delay
sorely tried the patience of the eager crews, and many leaping into the
water, attempted to lift their ships over the shallows, but their
strength was unequal to the task. There they lay stranded, with
scarcely nine inches of water round them. Jaqueline's anguish of mind
was increased from knowing too well the consequences of the delay to the
starving inhabitants of the beleaguered city. Though confident of the
resolution of her father and the commandant, she was aware of the
direful effect which starvation had already produced among the
inhabitants. Would they continue to hold out? Ten thousand Spaniards
still surrounded the walls, and at any moment might break in, and
massacre and rapine would sweep over her native city. Night and day she
prayed that the dreaded catastrophe might be averted, yet day after day
passed, and the fleet lay in sight of the walls, but too far distant for
their cannon to reach the enemy. Even Admiral Boisot was in despair.
He despatched a letter to the Prince, stating his belief that if the
spring tides, soon to be expected, should not, together with the strong
south-westerly wind, come immediately to their relief, he should be
compelled to abandon the expedition. Not many hours after the letter
had been despatched a large boat was seen rowing swiftly towards the
fleet from the southward. She soon came alongside the admiral's ship.
A cry, "It is the Prince! our noble Prince," burst from the throats of
the sea rovers as they welcomed him on board, though they observed with
sorrow that his commanding figure was fearfully emaciated, his noble
face pale as death. He had, indeed, only j