CHAPTER V., Part 2.
Position of Alexander and his Army--La Motte attempts in vain Ostend--Patriots gain Liefkenshoek--Projects of Gianibelli--Alarm on the Bridge--The Fire Ships--The Explosion--Its Results--Death of the Viscount of Ghent--Perpetual Anxiety of Farnese--Impoverished State of the Spaniards--Intended Attack of the Kowenstyn--Second Attack of the Kowenstyn--A Landing effected--A sharp Combat--The Dyke pierced -- Rally of the Spaniards--Parma comes to the Rescue--Fierce Struggle on the Dyke--The Spaniards successful--Premature Triumph at Antwerp -- Defeat of the Patriots--The Ship War's End--Despair of the Citizens Notwithstanding these triumphs, Parma was much inconvenienced by not possessing the sea-coast of Flanders.

Ostend was a perpetual stumbling-block to him.

He therefore assented, with pleasure to a proposition made by La Motte, one of the most experienced and courageous of the Walloon royalist, commanders, to attempt the place by surprise.
And La Motte; at the first blow; was more than half successful.
On the night of the 29th March, (1585) with two thousand foot and twelve hundred cavalry, he carried the whole of the old port of Ostend.

Leaving a Walloon officer, in whom he had confidence, to guard the position already gained, he went back in person for reinforcements.

During his advance, the same ill luck attended his enterprise which had blasted Hohenlo's achievement at Bois-le-Duc.