History and Language
year memorable in the annals of sieges, that De Bossu was fighting De Sonoy, off the Y, at the beginning of the siege of Haarlem. John Haring planted himself upon the dike at a point where it was so narrow that two men could hardly stand abreast. He held in check one thousand of the enemy, to enable his countrymen to rally, but in vain; all his efforts merely assisted their retreat in good order. John Haring distinguished himself again at the siege of his native city, when the Spanish Admiral De Bossu was defeated by Cornelius Dirkszoon, and imprisoned in the city for three years. John Haring's part in the battle consisted in clambering aboard the Inquisition, the Spanish flagship, and hauling down her colours. This deed of bravery cost the humble hero his life. Quaint old Hoorn, be it said en passant, also saw the birth of Willem Schouten, who discovered
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