He therefore gave the men some money and told them to go to
the nearest public-house to drink his health, and to return the first
thing in the morning to finish unloading. The younger of the two
brothers had already left the boat. He made his way through the town,
and started at full speed to carry the news to Prince Maurice that the
barge had arrived safely in the town, and the attempt would be made at
midnight; also of the fact they had learned from those on the wharf,
that the governor had heard a rumour that a force had landed somewhere
on the coast, and had gone off again to Gertruydenberg in all haste,
believing that some design was on foot against that town. His son Paolo
was again in command of the garrison.
A little before midnight Captain Heraugiere told his comrades that the
hour had arrived, and that only by the most desperate bravery could
they hope to succeed, while death was the certain consequence of
failure. The band were divided into two companies. He himself with one
was to attack the main guardhouse; the other, under Fervet, was to
seize the arsenal of the fortress.
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