of the walls,
were covered with eager spectators. We were among them. We could hear
the sound of drums and trumpets, and the sharp rattle of musketry. Then
came the shouts of victory, the despairing cries of the vanquished. The
glitter of the helmets and spears, the bucklers and corslets of the
assailing party we could clearly see, while their standards--they were
those of Spain--showed their exact position. The young Count had
greatly won our admiration, on account of his youth, his gallant
bearing, his talents, and his bravery. He had become a staunch
Protestant, and for that cause was ready to lay down his life. A short
time before, he had married a very charming young lady, who shared his
enthusiastic desire to establish the liberty of their country. She was
now in the city, and we could not help thinking what must be her
feelings on finding that the camp had been attacked. We could see the
enemy approach the breastwork in front of the camp. Alas! it was
defended but for a short time: on came the assailants; now they entered
the fort. Onward they pressed, some shooting rapidly, while the swords
of others were kept in constant exercise.

"What say you, Ernst; shall we go forth to their support?" exclaimed
A'Dale. "We shall find hundreds of brave fellows ready to accompany us;
and I for one cannot stand here and see our friends butchered by their
tyrants. See! see! the enemy are advancing; there is no time to lose,
if we are to give them any real help!"

I was as willing as my friend on most occasions to rush into danger; but
it seemed to me that already the enemy had gained the day, and that our
assistance would come too late. They pressed on till we could see
hundreds of the patriots driven into the Scheld. On one side was a
farmhouse; round it for some time the battle raged furiously. Then the
flames were seen to burst forth. Again the assailants advanced. Small
bodies of the patriots who had escaped from the fight were rushing
towards the town. Soon the excitement became uncontrollable. It was
not surprising that the Calvinists within the city should have felt for
their brothers who were thus being destroyed. For a short time, from
every street and alley in the city, people were seen coming forth armed
with lance, pike, and arquebus; some bearing huge two-handed swords,
which had belonged to their fathers, others, battle-axes, and some
carried huge sledge-hammers over their shoulders. All we