great unruliness which even their presence had been insufficient completely to check.  He had hoped that they might be retained in the neighbourhood, ready to seize the islands at the first opportunity.  “For my part,” he wrote, “I care nothing for the occupation of places within the interior, but the islands must be secured.  To do this,” he continued, with a deceitful allusion to the secret projects of Don John, “is, in my opinion, more difficult than to effect the scheme upon England.  If the one were accomplished, the other would be easily enough managed, and would require but moderate means.  Let not your Majesty suppose that I say this as favoring the plan of Don John, for this I put entirely behind me.”

Notwithstanding these suspicions on the part of the people, this reluctance on the part of then government, the troops readily took up their line of march, and never paused till they reached Lombardy.  Don John wrote repeatedly to the King, warmly urging the claims of these veterans, and of their distinguished officers, Romero, Avila, Valdez, Montesdocca, Verdugo, Mondragon, and others, to his bountiful consideration.  They had departed in very ill humour, not having received any recompense for their long and arduous services.  Certainly, if unflinching endurance, desperate valor, and congenial cruelty, could atone in the monarch’s eyes for the mutiny, which had at last compelled their withdrawal, then were these laborers worthy of their hire.  Don John had pacified them by assurances that they should receive adequate rewards on their arrival in Lombardy, and had urged the full satisfaction of their claims and his promises in the strongest language.  Although Don Alonzo de Vargas had abused him “with-flying colors,” as he expressed himself, yet he hastened to intercede for him with the King in the most affectionate terms.  “His impatience has not surprised me,” said the Governor, “although I regret that he has been offended, far I love and esteem him much.  He has served many years with great distinction, and I can certify that his character for purity and religion is something extraordinary.”

The first scene in the withdrawal of the troops had been the evacuation of the citadel of Antwerp, and it had been decided that the command of this most important fortress should be conferred upon the Duke of Aerschot.  His claims as commander-in-chief, under the authority of the State Council, and as chief of the Catholic nobility, could hardly be passed over, yet he was a man whom neither party trusted.  He was too visibly governed by interested motives.  Arrogant where he felt secure of his own, or doubtful as to another’s position, he could be supple and cringing when the relations changed.  He refused an interview with William of Orange before consulting with Don John, and solicited one afterwards when he found that every effort was to be made to conciliate the Prince.  He was insolent to the Governor-General