Five thousand veteran foot soldiers, besides six hundred cavalry, armed to the teeth, sallied from the portals of Alva's citadel.

In the counterscarp they fell upon their knees, to invoke, according to custom, the blessing of God upon the Devil's work, which they were about to commit.

The Bletto bore a standard, one side of which was emblazoned with the crucified Saviour, and the other with the Virgin Mary.

The image of Him who said, "Love-your enemies," and the gentle face of the Madonna, were to smile from heaven upon deeds which might cause a shudder in the depths of hell.

Their brief orisons concluded, they swept forward to the city.