other vessels had been beaten back by the enemy.  Night approached; and there was no possibility of accomplishing the enterprise.  His ship was hopelessly stranded.  With the morning’s sun his captivity was certain.  Rather than fall into the hands of his enemy, he sprang into the sea; followed by three hundred of his companions, some of whom were fortunate enough to effect their escape.  The gallant Admiral swam a long time, sustained by a broken spar.  Night and darkness came on before assistance could be rendered, and he perished.  Thus died Louis Boisot, one of the most enterprising of the early champions of Netherland freedom—­one of the bravest precursors of that race of heroes, the commanders of the Holland navy.  The Prince deplored his loss deeply, as that of a “valiant gentleman, and one well affectioned to the common cause.”  His brother, Charles Boisot, as will be remembered, had perished by treachery at the first landing of the Spanish troops; after their perilous passage from Duiveland.—­Thus both the brethren had laid down their lives for their country, in this its outer barrier, and in the hour of its utmost need.  The fall of the beleaguered town could no longer be deferred.  The Spaniards were, at last, to receive the prize of that romantic valor which had led them across the bottom of the sea to attack the city.  Nearly nine months had, however, elapsed since that achievement; and the Grand Commander, by whose orders it had been undertaken, had been four months in his grave.  He was permitted to see neither the long-delayed success which crowded the enterprise, nor the procession of disasters and crimes which were to mark it as a most fatal success.

On the 21st of June, 1576, Zierickzee, instructed by the Prince of Orange to accept honorable terms, if offered, agreed to surrender.  Mondragon, whose soldiers were in a state of suffering, and ready to break out in mutiny, was but too happy to grant an honorable capitulation.  The garrison were allowed to go out with their arms and personal baggage.  The citizens were permitted to retain or resume their privileges and charters, on payment of two hundred thousand guldens.  Of, sacking and burning there was, on this occasion, fortunately, no question; but the first half of the commutation money was to be paid in cash.  There was but little money in the impoverished little town, but mint-masters were appointed by the:  magistrates to take their seats at once an in the Hotel de Ville.  The citizens brought their spoons and silver dishes; one after another, which were melted and coined into dollars and half-dollars, until the payment was satisfactorily adjusted.  Thus fell Zierickzee, to the deep regret of the Prince.  “Had we received the least succor in the world from any side,” he wrote; “the poor city should never have fallen.  I could get nothing from France or England, with all my efforts.  Nevertheless, we do not lose courage, but hope that, although abandoned by all the world, the Lord God will extend His right hand over us.”