The siege was pressed with the utmost vigour; but the immortal heroism of the citizens baffled all the valour of the French.

There were no regular works worthy of notice: but the old Moorish walls, not above eight or ten feet in height, and some extensive monastic buildings in the outskirts of the city, being manned by crowds of determined men, whose wives and daughters looked on, nay, mingled boldly in their defence--the besiegers were held at bay week after week, and saw their ranks thinned in continual assaults without being able to secure any adequate advantage.

Famine came and disease in its train, to aggravate the sufferings of the townspeople; but they would listen to no suggestions but those of the same proud spirit in which they had begun.

The French at length gained possession of the great convent of St.Engracia, and thus established themselves within the town itself: their general then sent to Palafox this brief summons: "Headquarters, Santa Engracia--Capitulation"; but he received for answer: "Headquarters, Zaragossa--War to the knife." The battle was maintained literally from street to street, from house to house, and from chamber to chamber.

Men and women fought side by side, amidst flames and carnage; until Lefebre received the news of Baylen, and having wasted two months in his enterprise, abandoned it abruptly, lest he should find himself insulated amidst the general retreat of the French armies.