At that moment a troop of armed men crossed the stone bridge at the end
of the village, and halted in the orchard. Peasants hurried from their
houses, but, recognizing the new-comers as Spaniards, they retreated
terrified, and went to the windows to see what would happen.

About thirty soldiers, in full armor, surrounded an old man with a white
beard. Behind them, on pillions, rode red and yellow lancers who jumped
down and ran over the snow to shake off their stiffness, while several
of the soldiers in armor dismounted likewise and fastened their horses
to the trees.

Then they moved in the direction of the Golden Sun, and knocked at the
door. It was opened reluctantly; the soldiers went in, warmed themselves
near the fire, and called for ale.

Presently they came out of the inn, carrying pots, jugs, and rye-bread
for their companions, who surrounded the man with the white beard, where
he waited behind the hedge of lances.

As the street remained deserted the commander sent some horsemen to the
back of the houses, to guard the village on the country side. He then
ordered the lancers to bring him all the children of two years old and
under, to be massacred, as is written in the Gospel of St. Matthew.

The soldiers first went to the little inn of the Green Cabbage, and to
the barber's cottage which stood side by side midway in the street.

One of them opened a sty and a litter of pigs wandered into the village.
The innkeeper and the barber came out, and humbly asked the men what
they wanted; but they did not understand Flemish, and went into the