The guns in the hands of the besiegers could make no impression on the walls, but the Dutch ocean-going ships were armed with much heavier artillery, which was served by more skilful gunners than the Japanese could call on among themselves.

Koeckebecker,* the head of the Dutch factory, knew the object for which his help was asked. He and his predecessors had often witnessed the dying agonies of the Christian martyrs: he knew that Shimabara was defended by Christians driven to despair by persecution, and he knew the fate which awaited them when the castle fell.

With all this knowledge he did not hesitate. The trading privileges of his company were dearer to him than any thought of mercy to those, who, though of a different sect, were of the same religion of Christ as himself. Those privileges depended on the Japanese Government, and here was a chance to win its favour, perhaps to secure a monopoly which would bring untold riches to his Company for generations to come.