f had fet out full gallop, with forty lances, for Sluyf* on hearing the Englifh were on the coaft. It fortunately happened, that fir Robert March-and, who had married one of the late carl's baftards, was at the time in Bruges : he in-ftantly haftened to Sluys, and flung himfelf into the caftle, which he found weakly guarded, and unprovided. But if the Englifh had landed, and entered Sluys with the fame earneftnefs they had done at Tremue on the other fidè of the river, they muft have gained the caftle ; for fo gieat was the alarm in the town that no one paid attention to any thing, nor thought of defending themfelves. Sir Robert Marchand encouraged them, by faying,— c You men of Sluys, what are you thinking of? It would feem from* your appearance, that you are de* feated without ftriking a blow. Meh of valour ought to fhew a good countenance as long as poflible ; and, fhould they be taken or flain in their own defence, they will have the grace of, God and praife of the world.' Ihus did fir Robert harangue thofe of Sluys ; notwithftanding which, the whole country, as^ar as Bruges, was under the utmoft alarm as long as the Englifh remained on the coaft ; for they now daily difembarked, and foraged far in the cpuntry. Not having horfes, they were always on foot : when. their expeditions were ended, they ftept on board, and on the morrow renewed their excur-fions, to the eaft and weft, without oppofition. They burnt the town of Coxye, and another large village on the road from the coaft to Ardembourg, called 162 ' -,