to the brim with accumulated treasures, and with the merchandize of every
clime; lay at the feet of this desperate band of brigands. The horrible
result was but too soon to be made manifest.

Meantime, in Brussels, the few Spaniards trembled for their lives. The
few officers shut up there were in imminent danger. "As the Devil does
not cease to do his work," wrote Colonel Verdugo, "he has put it into the
heads of the Brabanters to rebel, taking for a pretext the mutiny of the
Spaniards. The Brussels men have handled their weapons so well against
those who were placed there to protect them, that they have begun to kill
the Spaniards, threatening likewise the Council of State. Such is their
insolence, that they care no more for these great lords than for so many
varlets." The writer, who had taken refuge, together with Jerome de Roda
and other Spaniards, or "Hispaniolized" persons, in Antwerp citadel,
proceeded to sketch the preparations which were going on in Brussels,
and the counter measures which were making progress in Antwerp. "The
states," he wrote, "are enrolling troops, saying 'tis to put down the
mutiny; but I assure you 'tis to attack the army indiscriminately. To
prevent such a villainous undertaking, troops of all nations are
assembling here, in order to march straight upon Brussels, there to
enforce everything which my lords of the State Council shall ordain."
Events were obviously hastening to a crisis--an explosion, before long,
was inevitable. "I wish I had my horses here," continued the Colonel,
"and must beg you to send them. I see a black cloud hanging over our
heads. I fear that the Brabantines will play the beasts so much, that
they will have all the soldiery at their throats."

Jerome de Roda had been fortunate enough to make his escape out of
Brussels, and now claimed to be sole Governor of the Netherlands, as the
only remaining representative of the State Council. His colleagues were