assault, was at last carried by storm. The enemy had now gained
possession of the whole town except Little Troy. The new harbour would
be theirs in a few hours, and as for Troy itself, those hastily and
flimsily constructed ramparts were not likely to justify the vaunts
uttered when they were thrown up nor to hold out many minutes before the
whole artillery of Spinola. Plainly on this last morsel of the fatal
sandbank the word surrender must be spoken, unless the advancing trumpets
of Maurice should now be heard. But there was no such welcome sound in
the air. The weather was so persistently rainy and stormy that the roads
became impassable, and Maurice, although ready and intending to march
towards Spinola to offer him battle, was unable for some days to move.
Meantime a council, summoned by Marquette, of all the officers, decided
that Ostend must be abandoned now that Ostend had ceased to exist.

On the 20th September the Accord was signed with Spinola. The garrison
were to march out with their arms. They were to carry off four cannon
but no powder. All clerical persons were to leave the place, with their
goods and chattels. All prisoners taken on both sides during the siege
were to be released. Burghers, sutlers, and others, to go whither they
would, undisturbed. And thus the archdukes, after three years and
seventy-seven days of siege, obtained their prize. Three thousand men,
in good health, marched out of little Troy with the honours of war. The
officers were entertained by Spinola and his comrades at a magnificent
banquet, in recognition of the unexampled heroism with which the town had
been defended. Subsequently the whole force marched to the headquarters
of the States' army in and about Sluys. They were received by Prince
Maurice, who stood bareheaded and surrounded by his most distinguished
officers; to greet them and to shake them warmly by the hand. Surely no
defeated garrison ever deserved more respect from friend or foe.