History of the United Netherlands, 1588-89 | Page 6

the troops of Parma, and Schenk in vain summoned the States- General
to take proper measures for its defence. But with the enemy now eating
his way towards the heart of Holland, and with so many dangers
threatening them on every side, it was thought imprudent to go so far
away to seek the enemy. So Gebhard retired in despair into Germany,

and Martin did what he could to protect Rheinberg, and to fill his own
coffers at the expense of the whole country side.
He had built a fort, which then and long afterwards bore his name-
Schenken Schans, or Schenk's Sconce--at that important point where
the Rhine, opening its two arms to enclose the "good meadow" island
of Batavia, becomes on the left the Waal, while on the right it retains its
ancient name; and here, on the outermost edge of the republic, and
looking straight from his fastness into the fruitful fields of Munster,
Westphalia, and the electorate, the industrious Martin devoted himself
with advantage to his favourite pursuits.
On the 7th of August, on the heath of Lippe, he had attacked a body of
Spanish musketeers, more than a thousand strong, who were protecting
a convoy of provisions, treasure, and furniture, sent by Farnese to
Verdugo, royal governor of Friesland. Schenk, without the loss of a
single man, had put the greater part of these Spaniards and Walloons to
the sword, and routed the rest. The leader of the expedition, Colonel
Aristotle Patton, who had once played him so foul a trick in the
surrender of Gelder, had soon taken to flight, when he found his ancient
enemy upon him, and, dashing into the Lippe, had succeeded, by the
strength and speed of his horse, in gaining the opposite bank, and
effecting his escape. Had he waited many minutes longer it is probable
that the treacherous Aristotle would have passed a comfortless
half-hour with his former comrade. Treasure to the amount of seven
thousand crowns in gold, five hundred horses, with jewels, plate, and
other articles of value, were the fruit of this adventure, and Schenk
returned with his followers, highly delighted, to Schenkenschans, and
sent the captured Spanish colours to her Majesty of England as a token.
A few miles below his fortress was Nymegen, and towards that ancient
and wealthy city Schenk had often cast longing eyes. It still held for the
King, although on the very confines of Batavia; but while
acknowledging the supremacy of Philip, it claimed the privileges of the
empire. From earliest times it had held its head very high among
imperial towns, had been one of the three chief residences of the
Emperor. Charlemagne, and still paid the annual tribute of a glove full
of pepper to the German empire.
On the evening of the 10th of August, 1589, there was a wedding feast
in one of the splendid mansions of the stately city. The festivities were

prolonged until deep in the midsummer's night, and harp and viol were
still inspiring the feet of the dancers, when on a sudden, in the midst of
the holiday-groups, appeared the grim visage of Martin Schenk, the
man who never smiled. Clad in no wedding-garment, but in armour of
proof, with morion on head, and sword in hand, the great freebooter
strode heavily through the ball-room, followed by a party of those
terrible musketeers who never gave or asked for quarter, while the
affrighted revellers fluttered away before them.
Taking advantage of a dark night, he had just dropped down the river
from his castle, with five-and-twenty barges, had landed with his most
trusted soldiers in the foremost vessels, had battered down the gate of
St. Anthony, and surprised and slain the guard. Without waiting for the
rest of his boats, he had then stolen with his comrades through the
silent streets, and torn away the lattice-work, and other slight defences
on the rear of the house which they had now entered, and through
which they intended to possess themselves of the market-place. Martin
had long since selected this mansion as a proper position for his
enterprise, but he had not been bidden to the wedding, and was
somewhat disconcerted when he found himself on the festive scene
which he had so grimly interrupted. Some of the merry-makers escaped
from the house, and proceeded to alarm the town; while Schenk hastily
fortified his position; and took possession of the square. But the
burghers and garrison were soon on foot, and he was driven back into
the house. Three times he recovered the square by main strength of his
own arm, seconded by the handful of men whom he had brought with
him, and three times he was beaten back by overwhelming numbers
into the wedding mansion. The arrival of the greater part of his