Pretending to be a plenipotentiary from the commander-in-chief, he expostulated in a loud voice at the slowness of their counsels.

Hardly had he begun to speak, when a shower of balls rattled about him.

His own soldiers were terrified at his danger, and a cry arose in the town that "Holofernese"-- as the Flemings and Germans were accustomed to nickname Farnese--was dead.

Strange to relate, he was quite unharmed, and walked back to his tent with dignified slowness and a very frowning face.

It was said that this breach of truce had been begun by the Spaniards, who had fired first, and had been immediately answered by the town.