In the absence of woods and coal mines, the habitual fuel of the country was furnished by those vast relics of the antediluvian forests which abounded in the still partially submerged soil.

The skipper represented that his vessel had passed so often into and out of the castle as to be hardly liable to search by the guard on its entrance.

He suggested a stratagem by which it might be possible to surprise the stronghold.
The prince approved of the scheme and immediately consulted with Barneveld.

That statesman at once proposed, as a suitable man to carry out the daring venture, Captain Charles de Heraugiere, a nobleman of Cambray, who had been long in the service of the States, had distinguished himself at Sluys and on other occasions, but who had been implicated in Leicester's nefarious plot to gain possession of the city of Leyden a few years before.

The Advocate expressed confidence that he would be grateful for so signal an opportunity of retrieving a somewhat damaged reputation.