fought not only for fatherland, but for conscience. The cause was even
holier than that which had inspired the arm of Hermann.

Although the swamps of that distant age had been transformed into
fruitful pastures, yet the whole district was moist, deceitful, and
dangerous. The country was divided into squares, not by hedges but by
impassable ditches. Agricultural entrenchments had long made the country
almost impregnable, while its defences against the ocean rendered almost
as good service against a more implacable human foe.

Aremberg, leading his soldiers along the narrow causeway, in hot pursuit
of what they considered a rabble rout of fugitive beggars, soon reached
Winschoten. Here he became aware of the presence of his despicable foe.
Louis and Adolphus of Nassau, while sitting at dinner in the convent of
the "Holy Lion," had been warned by a friendly peasant of the approach of
the Spaniards. The opportune intelligence had given the patriot general
time to make his preparations. His earnest entreaties had made his
troops ashamed of their mutinous conduct on the preceding day, and they
were now both ready and willing to engage. The village was not far
distant from the abbey, and in the neighborhood of the abbey Louis of
Nassau was now posted. Behind him was a wood, on his left a hill of
moderate elevation, before him an extensive and swampy field. In the
front of the field was a causeway leading to the abbey. This was the
road which Aremberg was to traverse. On the plain which lay between the
wood and the hill, the main body of the beggars were drawn up. They were
disposed in two squares or squadrons, rather deep than wide, giving the
idea of a less number than they actually contained. The lesser square,
in which were two thousand eight hundred men, was partially sheltered by
the hill. Both were flanked by musketeers. On the brow of the hill was
a large body of light armed troops, the 'enfans perdus' of the army. The