guided her more carefully than she had 30 Not a soul slept in the city. The explosion had shook its walls, and thousands of people thronged the streets, their hearts beating high with expectation. It was a moment of exquisite triumph. 35 The Hope, word of happy augury, had not been relied upon in vain, and Parma's seven months of patient labor had been annihilated in a moment. Sainte Aldegonde and Gianibelli stood in the Boors 40 Sconce' on the edge of the river. They had felt and heard the explosion, and they were now straining their eyes through the darkness to mark the flight of the welcome rocket. 45 That rocket never rose. And it is enough, even after the lapse of three centuries, to cause a pang in every heart that beats for human liberty to think of the bitter disappointment which crushed these 50 great and legitimate hopes. The cause lay in the incompetency and cowardice of the man who had been so unfortunately entrusted with a share in a noble enterprise. Admiral Jacobzoon, paralyzed by the explosion, which announced his Own triumph, sent off the barge, but did not 55 wait for its return. The boatmen, too, appalled by its sights and sounds which they had witnessed, and by the murky darkness which encompassed them, did not venture near the scene of action, but, after rowing for a short interval hither and thither, came back with the lying report that nothing had been accomplished, and that the bridge remained unbroken. Sainte Aldegonde and Gianibelli were beside themselves with rage, as they surmised the imbecility of the Admiral, and devoted him in their hearts to the gallows, which he certainly deserved. The wrath of the keen Italian may be conceived, now that his ingenious and entirely successful scheme was thus rendered fruitless by the blunders of the incompetent Fleming. On the other side, there was a man whom no danger could appal. Alexander had been thought dead, and the dismay among his followers was universal. He was known to have been standing an instant before the explosion on the very block-house where the Hope had struck. After the first terrible moments had passed, his soldiers found their general lying, as if in a trance, on the threshold of St. Mary's Fort, his drawn sword in his hand, with Cessis embracing his knees, and Gaetano extended at his side, stunned with a blow upon the head. Recovering from his swoon, Parma was the first to spring to his feet. Sword in hand, he rushed at once upon the bridge to mark the extent of the disaster. The admirable structure, the result of so much patient and intelligent energy, was fearfully shattered, the bridge, the river, and the shore, strewed with the mangled bodies of his soldiers. He expected, as a matter of certainty, that the fleet from below would instantly force its passage, destroy the remainder of his troopsstunned as they were with the sudden catastrophe complete the demolition of the bridge, and then make its way to Antwerp, with ample reinforcements and supplies. And Alexander saw that the expedition would be successful. Momently expecting the attack, he maintained his courage and semblance of cheerfulness, with despair in his heart. His winter's work seemed annihilated, and it was probable that he should be obliged to raise the siege. Nevertheless, he passed in person from rank to rank, 5 from post to post, seeing that the wounded were provided for, encouraging those that remained unhurt, and endeavoring to infuse a portion of his own courage into the survivors of his panic-stricken army. Nor was he entirely unsuccessful, as the night wore on and the expected assault was still delayed. Without further loss of time, he employed his men to collect the drifting boats, timber, and 10 spar-work, and to make a hasty and temporary restoration in semblance at least of the ruined portion of his bridge. And thus he employed himself steadily all the night, although expecting 15 every instant to hear the first broadside of the Zeeland cannon. When morning broke, and it became obvious that the patriots were unable or unwilling to follow up their own success, the Governor- 20 General felt as secure as ever. He at once set about the thorough repairs of his great work, and — before he could be again molested - had made good the damage which it had sustained. It was not till three days afterwards that the truth was known in Antwerp. Hohenlo then sent down a messenger, who swam under the bridge, ascertained the exact state of affairs, and returned, when it was too late, with the first intelligence of triumph which had been won and lost. The disappointment and mortification were almost intolerable. And thus had Run-a-way Jacob, Jacob, Koppen Loppen,' blasted the hopes of so many wiser and braver spirits than his own. From Chapter V, The United Netherlands, 1860. RICHARD HENRY DANA, JR. (1815-1882) "The younger Dana,' as he was usually designated by his contemporaries to distinguish him from his father the poet, lives in the history of American literature solely because of his book Two Years before the Mast, 1840. He was a native of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and naturally in due time entered Harvard College, but in his junior year his eyesight failed him, and so seriously that his physician prescribed the heroic treatment of a long period at sea as a common sailor. Dana accordingly shipped before the mast for a two years' voyage to the coast of California. On his return in 1836 he finished his course at Harvard, studied law, and later became one of the leading lawyers of Boston. His book, Two Years before the Mast, was written from the same motives that prompted Mrs. Stowe in later years to write Uncle Tom's Cabin. Its object primarily was humanitarian. In the words of his biographer, The night after the flogging of his two fellow-sailors off San Pedro, California, Mr. Dana, lying in his berth, "vowed that, if God should ever give me the means, I would do something to redress the grievances and relieve the sufferings of that class of beings with whom my lot has been so long cast."' The book accomplished its purpose. It was enormously popular, it was adopted by the British admiralty for free distribution in the navy, and it has long since taken an undisputed place as an American classic. A FLOGGING For several days the captain seemed very much out of humor. Nothing went right, or fast enough for him. He quarreled with the cook, and threatened to flog him for throwing wood on deck, and had a dispute with the mate about reeving a Spanish burton; the mate saying that he was right, and had been taught 10 how to do it by a man who was a sailor! This the captain took in dudgeon, and they were at swords' points at once. But his displeasure was chiefly turned against a large, heavy-molded fellow from the Mid- 15 dle States, who was called Sam. This man hesitated in his speech, was rather slow in his motions, and was only a tolerably good sailor, but usually seemed to do his best; yet the captain took a dislike to 20 him, thought he was surly and lazy, and 'if you once give a dog a bad name,'as the sailor-phrase is, he may as well jump overboard.' The captain found fault with everything this man did, and 25 hazed him for dropping a marline-spike from the main-yard, where he was at work. This, of course, was an accident, but it was set down against him. The captain was on board all day Friday, and 30 everything went on hard and disagreeably. 'The more you drive a man, the less he 5 will do,' was as true with us as with any other people. We worked late Friday night, and were turned-to early Saturday morning. About ten o'clock the captain ordered our new officer, Russell, who by this time had become thoroughly disliked by all the crew, to get the gig ready to take him ashore. John, the Swede, was sitting in the boat alongside. And Mr. Russell and I were standing by the main hatchway, waiting for the captain, who was down in the hold, where the crew were at work, when we heard his voice raised in violent dispute with somebody, whether it was with the mate or one of the crew I could not tell, and then came blows and scuffling. I ran to the side and beckoned to John, who came aboard, and we leaned down the hatchway, and though we could see no one, yet we knew that the captain had the advantage, for his voice was loud and clear: 'You see your condition! You see your condition! Will you ever give me any more of your jaw?' No answer; and then came wrestling and heaving, as though the man was trying to turn him. You may as well keep still, for I have got you,' said the captain. Then came the question, Will you ever give me any more of your jaw?' 'I never gave you any, sir,' said Sam; for it was his voice that we heard, though low and half choked. 'That's not what I ask you. Will you ever be impudent to me again?' 'I never have been, sir,' said Sam. 'Answer my question, or I'll make a spread eagle of you! I'll flog you, by G-d.' 'I'm no negro slave,' said Sam. 'Then I'll make you one,' said the captain; and he came to the hatchway, and sprang on deck, threw off his coat, and, rolling up his sleeves, called out to the mate: Seize that man up, Mr. Amerzene! Seize him up! Make a spread 15 eagle of him! I'll teach you all who is master aboard!' years of age; and Stimson and I would not have joined the men in a mutiny, as they knew. And then, on the other side, there were (beside the captain) three 5 officers, steward, agent, and clerk, and the cabin supplied with weapons. But beside the numbers, what is there for sailors to do? If they resist, it is mutiny; and if they succeed, and take the vessel, 10 it is piracy. If they ever yield again, their punishment must come; and if they do not yield, what are they to be for the rest of their lives? If a sailor resist his commander, he resists the law, and piracy or submission is his only alternative. Bad as it was, they saw it must be borne. It is what a sailor ships for. Swinging the rope over his head, and bending his body so as to give full force, the captain brought it down upon the poor fellow's back. Once, twice,- six times. Will you ever give me any more of your jaw?' The man writhed with pain, but said not a word. Three times more. This was too much, and he muttered something which I could not hear; this brought as many more as the man could stand, when the captain ordered him to be cut down, and to go forward. The crew and officers followed the captain up the hatchway; but it was not until after repeated orders that the mate ao laid hold of Sam, who made no resistance, and carried him to the gangway. 'What are you going to flog that man for, sir?' said John, the Swede, to the captain. Upon hearing this, the captain turned upon John; but, knowing him to be quick and resolute, he ordered the steward to bring the irons, and, calling upon Russell to help him, went up to John. 25 30 'Let me alone,' said John. 'I'm willing to be put in irons. You need not use any force'; and, putting out his hands, the captain slipped the irons on, and sent him aft to the quarter-deck. 35 Sam, by this time, was seized up, as it is called, that is, placed against the shrouds, with his wrists made fast to them, his jacket off, and his back exposed. The captain stood on the break of the 40 deck, a few feet from him, and a little raised, so as to have a good swing at him, and held in his hand the end of a thick, strong rope. The officers stood round, and the crew grouped together 45 in the waist. All these preparations made me feel sick and almost faint, angry and excited as I was. A man a human being, made in God's likeness fastened up and flogged like a beast! A man, too, 50 Now for you,' said the captain, making up to John, and taking his irons off. As soon as John was loose, he ran forward to the forecastle. Bring that man aft!' shouted the captain. The second mate, who had been in the forecastle with these men the early part of the voyage, stood still in the waist, and the mate walked slowly forward; but our third officer, anxious to show his zeal, sprang forward over the windlass, and laid hold of John; but John soon threw him from him. The captain stood on the quarterdeck, bare-headed, his eyes flashing with rage, and his face as red as blood, swinging the rope, and calling out to his officers: Drag him aft! Lay hold of him! I'll sweeten him!' &c., &c. The mate now went forward, and told John quietly to go aft; and he, seeing resistance vain, threw the blackguard third mate from him, said he would go aft of himself, that they should not drag him, and went up to the gangway and held out his hands; but as soon as the captain began to make him fast, the indignity was too much, and he struggled; but, the. mate and Russell holding him, he was soon seized up. When he was made fast, he turned to the captain, who stood rolling up his sleeves and getting ready for the blow, and asked him what he was to be flogged for. Have I ever refused my duty, sir? Have you ever known me to hang back, or to be insolent, or not to know my work?' 'No,' said the captain, it is not that that I flog you for; I flog you for your interference, for asking questions.' 'Can't a man ask a question here without being flogged?' 'No,' shouted the captain; 'nobody shall open his mouth aboard this vessel but myself,' and began laying the blows upon 15 his back, swinging half round between each blow, to give it full effect. As he went on, his passion increased, and he danced about the deck, calling out, as he swung the rope: If you want to know 20 what I flog you for, I'll tell you. It's because I like to do it!-because I like to do it! It suits me! That's what I do it for!' The man writhed under the pain until he could endure it no longer, when he called out, with an exclamation more common among foreigners than with us: 'O Jesus Christ! O Jesus Christ!' know what I was! Now you know what I am! '—' I'll make you toe the mark, every soul of you, or I'll flog you all, fore and aft, from the boy up!'-You've 5 got a driver over you! Yes, a slavedriver, a nigger driver! I'll see who 'll tell me he is n't a NIGGER slave!' With this and the like matter, equally calculated to quiet us, and to allay any apprehensions of future trouble, he entertained us for about ten minutes, when he went below. Soon after, John came aft, with his bare back covered with stripes and wales in every direction, and dreadfully swollen, and asked the steward to ask the captain to let him have some salve, or balsam, to put upon it. 'No,' said the captain, who heard him from below; 'tell him to put his shirt on; that's the best thing for him, and pull me ashore in the boat. Nobody is going to lay-up on board this vessel.' He then called to Mr. Russell to take those two men and twc others in the boat, and pull him ashore. 5 I went for one. The two men could hardly bend their backs, and the captain called to them to give way,' 'give way!' but, finding they did their best, he let them alone. The agent was in the stern sheets, but during the whole pull-a league or more not a word was spoken. We landed; the captain, agent, and officer went up to the house, and left us with the boat. I, and the man with me, stayed near the boat, while John and Sam walked slowly away, and sat down on the rocks. They talked some time together, but at length separated, each sitting alone. I had some fears of John. He was a foreigner, and violently tempered, and under suffering; and he had his knife with him, and the captain was to come down alone to the boat. nothing happened; and we went quietly. on board. The captain was probably armed, and if either of them had lifted a hand against him, they would have had nothing before them but flight, and starvation in the woods of California, or cap Don't call on Jesus Christ,' shouted 30 the captain: he can't help you. Call on Frank Thompson! He's the man! He can help you! Jesus Christ can't help you now!' But At these words, which I never shall 35 forget, my blood ran cold. I could look on no longer. Disgusted, sick I turned away, and leaned over the rail, and looked down into the water. A few rapid thoughts, I don't know what,- our situa- 40 tion, a resolution to see the captain punished when we got home,― crossed my mind, but the falling of the blows and the cries of the man called me back once more. At length they ceased, and turn- 45 ing round, I found that the mate, at a signal from the captain, had cast him loose. Almost doubled up with pain, the man walked slowly forward, and went down into the forecastle. Every one else 50 ture by the soldiers and Indians, whom the stood still at his post, while the captain, swelling with rage, and with the importance of his achievement, walked the quarter-deck, and at each turn, as he came forward, calling out to us: 'You see your 55 plain supper; but not a word was spoken. condition! You see where I've got you all, and you know what to expect!'-'You've been mistaken in me; you did n't offer of twenty dollars would have set upon them. After the day's work was done, we went down into the forecastle, and ate our It was Saturday night; but there was no song,- no sweethearts and wives.' A gloom was over everything. The two men |