Most effective was that blow struck by a dead man's hand.

Down came the portcullis.

The flying plunderers were entrapped.

Close behind them came the excited burghers--their antique Belgic ferocity now fully aroused--firing away with carbine and matchlock, dealing about them with bludgeon and cutlass, and led merrily on by Haultepenne and Elmont armed in proof, at the head of their squadron of lancers.

The unfortunate patriots had risen very early in the morning only to shear the wolf.