t more than halfway
across when again they heard the shouts of a number of Spaniards
ordering them to return.

"You may shout yourselves hoarse, my men," cried Berthold. "We have no
intention of obeying you." Finding that their shouts produced no
effect, they fired several bullets from their fire-arms, and the bullets
came spattering into the water like a shower of hail, but the gallant
steeds bore their riders to the opposite bank unhurt, and soon
scrambling up, the captain and Berthold continued their course over the
fields.

"Will not the Spaniards cross the bridge and attempt to overtake us?"
asked the captain. "We must be prepared for the contingency."

"I think not," answered Berthold. "They might encounter some of the
Prince's cavalry, and are not likely to venture further south."

They at length gained another dyke, on the summit of which the road ran
directly for Rotterdam. They now galloped forward with less
apprehension of meeting an enemy, and at length, about two hours after
dark, entered Rotterdam. They immediately inquired the way to the house
where the Prince was residing. From the remarks they heard made, they
discovered that the news of the disaster at Mookerheyde had already
reached the city, for which the captain was thankful, as it would save
him from the painful necessity of announcing it to the Prince. They
found guards before the door, and several grooms and other servants, to
one of whom they committed their horses. Captain Van der Elst at once
delivered to a gentleman-in-waiting his name and the object of his
visit, and they had no time even to shake off the water which still
clung to the lower part of their garments, when they were informed that
the Prince desired to see them. They followed their guide into an
apartment plainly furnished, with several writing-tables; at one of
these sat a tall, dignified man with brown hair, moustachios and beard,
a forehead broad and lofty, and eyes bright and full of expression. The
captain advancing, bowed, and introduced his young companion as the
nephew of the Burgomaster of Leyden. The Prince, who had risen,
received them gravely, but at the same time in a cordial manner.

"You bring further intelligence, Captain Van der Elst, from the field of
Mookerheyde?" he said. "Of the main particulars I have already been
informed by some few who escaped and made their way here."

Captain Van der Elst briefly explained how he himself had escaped,