dvancing
again to lay siege to their walls." At first the burgomaster seemed
inclined to discredit the intelligence.

"Surely all could not have been destroyed, some of the soldiers may have
cut their way through, and escaped as you have done?" Karl shook his
head.

"I obtained too distinct a view of the fatal field to allow me to
indulge in such a hope," he answered. "I would gladly have sought for
an honourable death myself among my friends had I not reflected that the
safety of my brave band depended on me, and that we might yet render
service to our country."

While he was speaking, Baron Van Arenberg joined the party, and, after
saluting Jaqueline in a self-confident manner, stood listening with a
supercilious air to the young soldier.

"That you have escaped from the field, Captain Van der Elst, is evident;
but I fain would doubt that so many brave men would have yielded to the
Spaniards," he observed.

"They yielded not to the Spaniards, but to death," answered Captain Van
der Elst. "I myself visited the field of slaughter at night, when the
Spaniards had withdrawn, in search of my beloved leader. His body, if
it was there, lay among the heaps of slain, most of whom had been
stripped by rapacious plunderers, and disfigured by the hoofs of the
enemy's horses."

"I believe your report, captain," said the burgomaster, stretching out
his hand and pressing that of Van der Elst. "Our duty is clear, not a
moment is to be lost in preparing for the defence of our city, and the
burghers of Leyden must resist to the last. You will remain and aid us
with your advice?"

"Would that I could," answered Karl, glancing for a moment at Jaqueline;
"but I must hasten to the Prince of Orange, to give him a full account
of the events which have taken place, and to receive his orders.
Bereaved as he is of his brothers, it is the duty of every true-hearted
man to rally round him."

"You are right," said the burgomaster; "but I must beg you to bear a
message from me to the Prince, requesting that he will allow you to
return, and, if possible, to bring some men-at-arms with you. Lay
before him the weak state of our garrison; say that we have but five
companies of the Burgher Guard and a small corps of freebooters; but
that our walls are strong, the hearts of our citizens staunch, and that
they will, I feel assured, fly to arms the instant they receive the
summons. Assure him that we will endeavour to imitate the exampl