One company in especial, called the 'Company of the Blue Flag,' was animated with a spirit of deadly vengeance against them; its leader, Verhoef, having that morning loaded his musket with a determination either to kill the De Witts or perish in the attempt.

They pressed forward towards the prison, but were driven back by the determined appearance of the cavalry, commanded by the Count de Tilly.
"So long as these troops remained, it was evident that the fell purpose of the rioters was impracticable.

Accordingly, a report was raised that a band of peasants and sailors was coming to plunder The Hague; and two captains of the burgher guards took occasion from thence to demand of the Council of State, that the soldiers should be drawn off from their station, in order to protect the houses from pillage.

First a verbal order, and on Tilly's refusing obedience to such, a written one, was sent, commanding him to divide his troops into four detachments, and post them upon the bridges leading into the town.

'I shall obey,' said he, as he perused the mandate; 'but it is the death-warrant of the brothers.' "His anticipations were too soon realized.