midnight
The Prince was right , he had observed clouds gathering in the south-western horizon , and ere long a strong wind from that quarter began to blow , the tide flowed in , the water swept over the dykes , cheers rose from the throats of the seamen . Once more their ships were afloat , sails were spread , the oars run out , and now they went gliding on led by the `` Ark of Delft , '' until Zoetermeer was reached . Here a desperate effort was made by the Spaniards to stop their progress , but that village and others in the neighbourhood were attacked , the enemy driven out , and they were set on fire . The blaze lighted up the midnight sky , announcing to the fainting garrison that relief was approaching . Barrier after barrier was passed , and for many an hour in the midst of the howling storm and pitchy darkness a fierce battle raged . The victorious Hollanders pushed further on , but still two forts of great strength , those of Zoeterwoude and Lammen , lay between them and the city , garrisoned by the enemy 's best troops and armed with heavy artillery . They must be captured before the city could be gained .