The evacuation of Sluys by Governor Serrano and his garrison was upon the 20th August.  Next day the stadholder took possession, bestowing the nominal government of the place upon his brother Frederic Henry.  The atmosphere, naturally enough, was pestiferous, and young Count Lewis Gunther of Nassau, who had so brilliantly led the cavalry on the famous day of Nieuport, died of fever soon after entering the town infinitely regretted by every one who wished well to the republic.

Thus an important portion of Zeeland was restored, to its natural owners.  A seaport which in those days was an excellent one, and more than a compensation for the isolated fishing village already beleaguered for upwards of three years, had been captured in three months.  The States-General congratulated their stadholder on such prompt and efficient work, while the garrison of Ostend, first learning the authentic news seven days afterwards, although at a distance of only fourteen miles, had cause to go upon their knees and sing praises to the Most High.

The question now arose as to the relief of Ostend.  Maurice was decidedly opposed to any such scheme.  He had got a better Ostend in Slays, and he saw no motive for spending money and blood in any further attempt to gain possession of a ruin, which, even if conquered, could only with extreme difficulty be held.  The States were of a diametrically opposite opinion.  They insisted that the stadholder, so soon he could complete his preparations, should march straight upon Spinola’s works and break up the siege, even at the risk of a general action.  They were willing once more to take the terrible chance of a defeat in Flanders.  Maurice, with a heavy heart, bowed to their decision, showing by his conduct the very spirit of a republican soldier, obeying the civil magistrate, even when that obedience was like to bring disaster upon the commonwealth.  But much was to be done before he could undertake this new adventure.

Meantime the garrison in Ostend were at their last gasp.  On being asked by the States-General whether it was possible to hold out for twenty days longer, Marquette called a council of officers, who decided that they would do their best, but that it was impossible to fix a day or hour when resistance must cease.  Obviously, however, the siege was in its extreme old age.  The inevitable end was approaching.

Before the middle of September the enemy was thoroughly established in possession of the new Hell’s Mouth, the new Porcupine, and all the other bastions of the new entrenchment.  On the 13th of that month the last supreme effort was made, and the Sand Hill, that all-important redoubt, which during these three dismal years had triumphantly resisted every assault, was at last carried by storm.  The enemy had now gained possession of the whole town except Little Troy.  The new harbour would be theirs in a few hours, and as for Troy itself, those hastily and flimsily