constructed.  Six thousand men were disposed along the side of the city opposite the fortress.  The bulk of the German troops was stationed at different points on the more central streets and squares.  The cavalry was posted on the opposite side of the city, along the Horse-market, and fronting the “New-town.”  The stars were still in the sky when Champagny got on horseback and rode through the streets, calling on the burghers to arm and assemble at different points.  The principal places of rendezvous were the Cattlemarket and the Exchange.  He rode along the lines of the Walloon regiments, conversing with the officers, Egmont, De Heze, and others, and encouraging the men, and went again to the Fencing Court, where he pointed the cannon with his own hand, and ordered their first discharge at the fortress.  Thence he rode to the end of the Beguin street, where he dismounted and walked out upon the edge of the esplanade which stretched between the city and the castle.  On this battle-ground a combat was even then occurring between a band of burghers and a reconnoitring party from the citadel.  Champagny saw with satisfaction that the Antwerpers were victorious.  They were skirmishing well with their disciplined foe, whom they at last beat back to the citadel.  His experienced eye saw, however, that the retreat was only the signal for a general onslaught, which was soon to follow; and he returned into the city to give the last directions.

At ten o’clock, a moving wood was descried, approaching the citadel from the south-west.  The whole body of the mutineers from Alost, wearing green branches in their helmets—­had arrived under command of their Eletto, Navarrete.  Nearly three thousand in number, they rushed into the castle, having accomplished their march of twenty-four miles since three o’clock in the morning.  They were received with open arms.  Sancho d’Avila ordered food and refreshments to be laid before them, but they refused everything but a draught of wine.  They would dine in Paradise, they said, or sup in Antwerp.  Finding his allies in such spirit, Don Sancho would not balk their humor.  Since early morning, his own veterans had been eagerly awaiting his signal, “straining upon the start.”  The troops of Romero, Vargas, Valdez, were no less impatient.  At about an hour before noon, nearly every living man in the citadel was mustered for the attack, hardly men enough being left behind to guard the gates.  Five thousand veteran foot soldiers, besides six hundred cavalry, armed to the teeth, sallied from the portals of Alva’s citadel.  In the counterscarp they fell upon their knees, to invoke, according to custom, the blessing of God upon the Devil’s work, which they were about to commit.  The Bletto bore a standard, one side of which was emblazoned with the crucified Saviour, and the other with the Virgin Mary.  The image of Him who said, “Love-your enemies,” and the gentle face of the Madonna, were to smile from heaven upon deeds