ad likewise to examine the few recruits who could be
collected from the country round to assist in the defence, and especial
attention had to be given to the exercising of the men at the great guns
placed in the various forts. The burgomaster, among his many other
duties, daily visited the storehouses to see the progress made in
collecting food, both for man and beast, and he also inspected the pens
and sheds in which the cattle were placed as they were driven in, while
he made preparation for all the various contingencies which might occur.
And, although he desired his daughter to set the example to the women
and girls of Leyden, remembering that she was utterly unused to manual
work, he, after a time, summoned her home to take the rest and
refreshment she required.

"Go, my sweet Jaqueline," said Vrouw Margaret de Munto, the wife of one
of the chief magistrates. "You have shown us how the most delicate can
work, and we will not be idle during your absence."

Jaqueline, whose arms and shoulders were aching with the unwonted
labour, was, it must be confessed, thankful to obey her father's summons
to return home. She was rewarded with the consciousness that she had
performed her duty, and she hoped to have strength to continue it, but
she was more out of spirits than was usual with her. Some days had
passed since her young cousin Berthold had accompanied Captain Van der
Elst to Rotterdam and they had not again made their appearance. The
burgomaster could not account for the delay, but felt sure that the
Prince would immediately send them back with despatches confirming John
Van der Does in his appointment as Commandant, and stating what plans he
proposed for their relief. The Lily cast many a glance over the plain
in the hopes of seeing the two horsemen approaching; but though
occasionally trains of carts and baggage-horses laden with sacks of
corn, and small herds of cattle were seen on the roads, the two absent
ones whose safe return would have relieved her anxiety failed to appear.
As the foragers brought in word that parties of Spaniards who had come
from the direction of the Hague had been met with, some fears were
entertained that Captain Van der Elst and Berthold might have fallen
into their hands.

"Berthold is too well acquainted with the country to allow himself and
his companion easily to be caught," observed the burgomaster. "Perhaps
the Prince is waiting to decide on the plan he proposes to adopt fo