"The enemy is at hand. We have heard the noise of drums and fifes, and we have seen their banners in the distance. There is a strong force of cavalry that is hoping to draw you into some ambush. The main body, doubtless, is not far off." The Duke at once sent to warn the colonels and captains, and himself ordered the army to be massed in battle array, and dispatched certain scouting parties on reconnaissance. Then it was that there came on the scene the four carriages, making straight for the Duke's gunners. And in the chariots were none but men and women dancing and drinking and playing most joyously on fifes and drums and bagpipes and shawms. And wondrous was the din that came from all those instruments. When the procession had been brought to a halt, the Duke himself came up, attracted by the noise, and he saw the newly married bride where she stood in one of the four chariots; and beside her was Ulenspiegel, the bridegroom, covered with flowers; and all the other peasants, both men and women, who had by now got down from the chariots and were dancing all round them and offering drink to the soldiers. The Duke and his friends were much astonished at the simplicity of these peasants who sang and made merry when all around them was an army ready to do battle. And now they that remained in the chariots were giving all the wine to the soldiers, and they in their turn were fêted by them and made much of; till at last, when the wine began to run out, the peasants continued on their way again. The drums and fifes and bagpipes struck up once more and the cavalcade moved off without any let or hindrance. And the soldiers, in high good humour, let off a volley from their guns in honour of the festal occasion. And thus they came to Maestricht, where Ulenspiegel took counsel with the agents of the Reformers as to the best way of sending ships loaded with arms and munitions to the assistance of the Prince's fleet. And from there they went to Landen and to other places, disguised as working men. The Duke was not long in learning the trick that had been played on him, and there came into his hands a lampoon which was in circulation at the time, with this refrain: Bloody Duke, Silly Duke, Hast thou seen the Bride? And every time that the Duke made a mistake in his general-ship the soldiers would sing: The Duke he can't see clearly; He has seen the Bride! XXII Now in those days the Duke divided his army into two parts, one of which he ordered to march towards the Duchy of Luxemburg and the other to the Marquisate of Namur. "These tactics of the military are all one to me," said Ulenspiegel to Lamme, "let us go on our way with confidence."