The Spaniards at the southern gate caught sight of their blazing vessels, saw the sea rapidly rising over the dyke, became panic-struck at being thus enclosed between fire and water, and dashed off in precipitate retreat along the slippery causeway and through the slimy and turbid waters, which were fast threatening to overwhelm them.  Many were drowned or smothered in their flight, but the greater portion of the force effected their escape in the vessels which still remained within reach.  This danger averted, Admiral de la Marck summoned all the inhabitants, a large number of whom had returned to the town after the capture had been fairly established, and required them, as well as all the population of the island, to take an oath of allegiance to the Prince of Orange as stadholder for his Majesty.

The Prince had not been extremely satisfied with the enterprise of De la Marck.  He thought-it premature, and doubted whether it would be practicable to hold the place, as he had not yet completed his arrangements in Germany, nor assembled the force with which he intended again to take the field.  More than all, perhaps, he had little confidence in the character of his Admiral.  Orange was right in his estimate of De la Marck.  It had not been that rover’s design either to take or to hold the place; and after the descent had been made, the ships victualled, the churches plundered, the booty secured, and a few monks murdered, he had given orders for the burning of the town, and for the departure of the fleet.  The urgent solicitations of Treslong, however, prevailed, with some difficulty, over De la Marck’ original intentions.  It is to that bold and intelligent noble, therefore, more than to any other individual, that the merit of laying this corner-stone of the Batavian commonwealth belongs.  The enterprise itself was an accident, but the quick eye of Treslong saw the possibility of a permanent conquest, where his superior dreamed of nothing beyond a piratical foray.

Meantime Bossu, baffled in his attempt upon Brill, took his way towards Rotterdam.  It was important that he should at least secure such other cities as the recent success of the rebels might cause to waver in their allegiance.  He found the gates of Rotterdam closed.  The authorities refused to comply with his demand to admit a garrison for the King.  Professing perfect loyalty, the inhabitants very naturally refused to admit a band of sanguinary Spaniards to enforce their obedience.  Compelled to parley, Bossu resorted to a perfidious stratagem.  He requested permission for his troops to pass through the city without halting.  This was granted by the magistrates, on condition that only a corporal’s command should be admitted at a time.  To these terms the Count affixed his hand and seal.  With the admission, however, of the first detachment, a violent onset was made upon the gate by the whole Spanish force.  The townspeople, not suspecting treachery, were not prepared to make effective resistance.