e proposed marriage increased.

Ernst with many of his schoolfellows were in the street, when the report
was spread that a large body of Spaniards, being chiefly the retinue of
the Count and his harbingers, were riding through London. The dislike
which Ernst naturally entertained for the people of that nation, who
were so cruelly tyrannising over his native country, now blazed up,
"Let's treat these people as they deserve!" he cried out to his
companions. "Let us show them that though Englishmen love freedom and
free men, they hate tyranny and tyrants!"

A loud hurrah was the response to this appeal. It was in the depth of
winter, and the snow was lying somewhat thickly in the streets. The
boys soon gathered snow-balls, with which each one loaded himself. As
they moved along their numbers increased, till Ernst and his companions
were almost lost sight of. They hurried on to a spot they knew the
Spaniards must pass. The Count's attendants were congratulating
themselves on their safe arrival in the country, and at the thoughts of
being soon comfortably housed after their long ride.

"Now, boys, now!" shouted Ernst. "Give them a taste of our quality.
Let us show them we will have no Spaniards in this country to reign over
us. Give it them! give it them!"

As he spoke, every hand was raised on high, and a shower of snow-balls
came flying about the ears of the astonished Spaniards. At first they
stopped, in the vain hope of catching their assailants. The boys flew
off, mocking them with their laughter. Again they moved on, when the
hardy crowd collected again, and sent rapidly flying round them a
complete storm of snow-balls. They were no soft or harmless missiles--
some were hard as stone--masses of ice. Several of the cavaliers were
cut and bruised, two or three were nearly hurled from their horses. The
gay doublets of all were thoroughly bespattered with snow, and sometimes
with other materials mixed with it. Ernst was more eager even than the
rest, urging on his companions to continue the assault. The more angry
the Spaniards became, the more the boys laughed, especially when one or
two ecclesiastics among them got hit. The people who came out from
their houses, although taking no part in the sport, stood by, applauding
the boys, and laughing heartily. As Ernst was running here and there,
encouraging his companions, re-collecting them when they were dispersed,
and bringing them up again to the assau