The alarm was so sudden and unforeseen that Commines and his two fellow-chamberlains had scarcely time “to arm the duke with his cuirass, and put a helmet on his head.” The enemy were pouring in on all sides, and, in order to get out into the street, it was necessary to drive back the Liegeois, who were resolutely attacking the doors and windows. Numbers at length obtained the advantage over desperate courage; the Liegeois, hemmed in on all sides, were cut to pieces. They met with a similar fate at the king’s quarters, which were valiantly defended by the Scottish archers of his guard. We may note, _en passant_, that these brave Scottish archers, renowned above all others for their skill, were on this occasion so awkward that, with their numerous arrows, “they wounded more Burgundians than Liegeois.” On the following day, the town, attacked on both sides, was captured, set on fire, and given up to pillage. The devastation and massacre lasted for five or six days longer, after which the king began to negotiate for leave to return home: and, in a short time, he departed, leaving the Duke of Burgundy to pursue his work of destruction alone. To return, however, to Commines. His father had not been an irreproachable administrator of the public funds, and had died, owing the duke enormous sums, for the recovery of which the agents of that prince sold one of the estates of the defaulter, named Renescure. The proceeds of this sale, however, did not amount to a sufficient sum to liquidate the entire debt. On the 1st of October, 1469, Commines obtained, in reward for his services, a receipt in full for all that might still be due from his family to the ducal treasury. In the following year, he was sent on a mission to the Governor of Calais, which, though very simple at first, was eventually rendered by circumstances very delicate, and even dangerous. At one moment the danger became so great, that he thought it prudent to apply for a safe-conduct, and inform his master of his position. He soon received an answer: the duke sent him his signet ring, ordering him to continue his negotiation, and promising that if he were made prisoner, he would ransom him. Commines had acted wisely in obtaining sureties, for the duke “never hesitated to expose one of his servants to danger, when he had need of his assistance.” The negotiation, however, was ably conducted, and brought to a successful issue, to the satisfaction of all the parties concerned.