Imports fell off to such an extent that at this port they yielded but 14,000 gulden per annum instead of 80,000 as formerly.

The harbor was filled with empty boats; the market drugged with goods of all sorts that no one would buy.
[Sidenote: Beggars of the Sea] The cause of the patriots looked hopeless.

Orange, discredited by defeat, had retired to Germany.

At one time, to avoid the clamors of his troops for pay, he was obliged to flee by night from Strassburg.
But in this dark hour help came from the sea.

Louis of Nassau, not primarily a statesman like his brother but a passionate crusader for Protestantism, had been at La Rochelle and had there seen the excellent work done by privateers.