It was however evident that the attack was to be immediately expected.

What was to be done?
All the officers counselled the immediate erection of a bulwark on the side of the city exposed to the castle, but there were no miners nor engineers.
Champagny, however, recommended a skilful and experienced engineer to superintend; the work in the city; and pledged himself that burghers enough would volunteer as miners.

In less than an hour, ten or twelve thousand persons, including multitudes of women of all ranks, were at work upon the lines marked out by the engineer.

A ditch and breast-work extending from the gate of the Beguins to the street of the Abbey Saint Michael, were soon in rapid progress.

Meantime, the newly arrived troops, with military insolence, claimed the privilege of quartering themselves in the best houses which they could find.