Not a footfall was heard; not a whisper broke the silence; it seemed a city of the dead.

The soldier crept back through the crevice, and hastened to apprise his superiors of his adventure.
Alexander, forthwith instructed as to the condition of the city, at once ordered the assault, and the last wall was suddenly stormed before the morning broke.

The soldiers forced their way through the breach or sprang over the breastwork, and surprised at last--in its sleep--the city which had so long and vigorously defended itself.

The burghers, startled from their slumber, bewildered, unprepared, found themselves engaged in unequal conflict with alert and savage foes.

The battle, as usual when Netherland towns were surprised by Philip's soldiers, soon changed to a massacre.