A chivalrous incident in the open field occurred during the assault.  A gigantic Albanian cavalry officer came prancing out of Deventer into the spaces between the trenches, defying any officer in the States’ army to break a lance with him.  Prince Maurice forbade any acceptance of the challenge, but Lewis van der Cathulle, son of the famous Ryhove of Ghent, unable to endure the taunts and bravado of this champion, at last obtained permission to encounter him in single combat.  They met accordingly with much ceremony, tilted against each other, and shivered their lances in good style, but without much effect.  The Albanian then drew a pistol.  Cathulle had no weapon save a cutlass, but with this weapon he succeeded in nearly cutting off the hand which held the pistol.  He then took his enemy prisoner, the vain-glorious challenger throwing his gold chain around his conqueror’s neck in token of his victory.  Prince Maurice caused his wound to be bound up and then liberated him, sending him into the city with a message to the governor.

During the following night the bridge, over which the assailants had nearly forced their way into the town, was vigorously attacked by the garrison, but Count Lewis William, in person, with a chosen band defended it stoutly till morning, beating back the Spaniards with heavy loss in a sanguinary midnight contest.

Next morning there was a unanimous outcry on the part of the besieged for a capitulation.  It was obvious that, with the walls shot to ruins as they had been, the place was no longer tenable against Maurice’s superior forces.  A trumpet was sent to the prince before the dawn of day, and on the 10th of June, accordingly, the place capitulated.

It was arranged that the garrison should retire with arms and baggage whithersoever they chose.  Van den Berg stipulated nothing in favour of the citizens, whether through forgetfulness or spite does not distinctly appear.  But the burghers were received like brothers.  No plunder was permitted, no ransom demanded, and the city took its place among its sisterhood of the United Provinces.

Van den Berg himself was received at the prince’s head, quarters with much cordiality.  He was quite blind; but his wound seemed to be the effect of exterior contusions, and he ultimately recovered the sight of one eye.  There was mach free conversation between himself and his cousins during the brief interval in which he was their guest.

“I’ve often told Verdugo,” said he, “that the States had no power to make a regular siege, nor to come with proper artillery into the field, and he agreed with me.  But we were both wrong, for I now see the contrary.”

To which Count Lewis William replied with a laugh:  “My dear cousin, I’ve observed that in all your actions you were in the habit of despising us Beggars, and I have said that you would one day draw the shortest straw in consequence.  I’m glad to hear this avowal from your own lips.”  Herman attempted no reply but let the subject drop, seeming to regret having said so much.