on going forth.
Again and again the Prince and the Count Hoogstraaten, who had a short
time before arrived on the spot, entreated them to abandon their design,
warning them that their blood would be upon their own heads should they
persevere.

Five hundred marched forth. The enemy were seen scattered about the
country pursuing the fugitives. On the appearance of the city force,
they were quickly again summoned together by the sound of the trumpet;
and now, in a compact mass, they advanced towards the city, with drums
beating and colours flying. Just before this a rapid firing was heard
in the rear of the enemy. We at the time little knew what it was.
Alas! the savages were shooting their prisoners, three hundred of whom
they had captured, intending to ransom them. When, however, they found
they had again to enter into a fresh battle, they shot the whole of the
unfortunate men. Thus, in reality, this unadvised sally of the citizens
was the cause of the death of a large number of their countrymen. The
citizens, finding themselves outnumbered, and not relishing the firm
bearing of the Spaniards, retreated rapidly into the city, the gates
being shut only just in time to prevent the entrance of the Romanist
force. The enemy, then advancing close to the city walls, planted the
banners of the unfortunate Tholouse on the margin of the moat, sounding
at the same time a trumpet of defiance. The Prince and his lieutenant
exerted themselves to prevent another sally, well knowing the thoroughly
trained force the citizens would have to encounter. In the opinion of
the Prince the time for fighting had not yet arrived.

During the period I have been describing, the whole city continued in a
state of the fiercest commotion. The Calvinists in vast numbers had
taken possession of the Mere; it was here the market was held: it is a
long wide place, too wide almost to be called a street, with fine
buildings on either side--the streets which enter it communicating with
the Exchange and many other public edifices. This place had been
barricaded with paving stones, upturned waggons, and other articles
which came to hand. A large body of the people had forced their way
into the Arsenal, and obtained a supply of ammunition and several
field-pieces; these they planted at the entrance of every street and
passage. Another party stormed the city jail, and liberated the
prisoners with whom they were crowded. These eagerly took up arms