"I presume they are going to demand our surrender." They reached the wall of the town just as the Imperialist officers approached the gate.
"In the name of his majesty the emperor," one of them cried out, "I command you to open the gate and to surrender to his good will and pleasure." "The smoking villages which I see around me," Count Mansfeld replied, "are no hopeful sign of any good will or pleasure on the part of his majesty towards us.

As to surrendering, we will rather die.

But I am willing to pay a fair ransom for the town if you will draw off your troops and march away." "Beware, sir!" the officer said.

"I have a force here sufficient to compel obedience, and I warn you of the fate which will befall all within these walls if you persist in refusing to admit us." "I doubt not as to their fate," the count replied; "there are plenty of examples before us of the tender mercy which your master's troops show towards the towns you capture.
"Once again I offer you a ransom for the town.

Name the sum, and if it be in reason such as I and the townspeople can pay, it shall be yours; but open the gates to you we will not." "Very well," the officer said; "then your blood be on your own heads." And turning his horse he rode with his companions back towards the village.
On their arrival there a bustle was seen to prevail.