Meantime, however, the streets remained empty; not one of their secret confederates showing himself.  Fifty men could surprise, but were too few to keep possession of the city.  The Count began to suspect a trap.  As daylight approached the alarm spread; the position of the little band was critical.  In his impetuosity, Louis had far outstripped his army, but they had been directed to follow hard upon his footsteps, and he was astonished that their arrival was so long delayed.  The suspense becoming intolerable, he rode out of the city in quest of his adherents, and found them wandering in the woods, where they had completely lost their way.  Ordering each horseman to take a foot soldier on the crupper behind him, he led them rapidly back to Mons. On the way they were encountered by La Noue, “with the iron arm,” and Genlis, who, meantime, had made an unsuccessful attack to recover Valenciennes, which within a few hours had been won and lost again.  As they reached the gates of Mons, they found themselves within a hair’s breadth of being too late; their adherents had not come forth; the citizens had been aroused; the gates were all fast but one—­and there the porter was quarrelling with a French soldier about an arquebuss.  The drawbridge across the moat was at the moment rising; the last entrance was closing, when Guitoy de Chaumont, a French officer, mounted on a light Spanish barb, sprang upon the bridge as it rose.  His weight caused it to sink again, the gate was forced, and Louis with all his men rode triumphantly into the town.

The citizens were forthwith assembled by sound of bell in the market-place.  The clergy, the magistracy, and the general council were all present.  Genlis made the first speech, in which he disclaimed all intention of making conquests in the interest of France.  This pledge having been given, Louis of Nassau next addressed the assembly:  “The magistrates,” said he, “have not understoood my intentions.  I protest that I am no rebel to the King; I prove it by asking no new oaths from any man.  Remain bound by your old oaths of allegiance; let the magistrates continue to exercise their functions—­to administer justice.  I imagine that no person will suspect a brother of the Prince of Orange capable of any design against the liberties of the country.  As to the Catholic religion, I take it under my very particular protection.  You will ask why I am in Mons at the head of an armed force:  are any of you ignorant of Alva’s cruelties?  The overthrow of this tyrant is as much the interest of the King as of the people, therefore there is nothing in my present conduct inconsistent with fidelity to his Majesty.  Against Alva alone I have taken up arms; ’tis to protect you against his fury that I am here.  It is to prevent the continuance of a general rebellion that I make war upon him.  The only proposition which I have to make to you is this—­I demand that you declare Alva de Toledo a traitor to the King, the executioner of the people, an enemy to the country, unworthy of the government, and hereby deprived of his authority.”