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14 had closed upon the scene of action, and forced a retreat.

It happened that Gustavus, who with a chosen number had penetrated to the gates of the city, determined upon entering it; and, having cut their way through, they flew to the senate house, supposing the council would be sitting to advise in their exigencies. In this they were not mistaken: there they found the old retainers of the king—the feed bloodsuckers of their country—the seals to tyranny—the vouchers and abettors of all wrongs; and there without mercy they hacked them to death, so that the blood poured through the crevices into the street. Having done this, they broke through into the great garden, past the palace, into the plain; thus avoiding any further encounter. Gustavus, however, did not return as he had come—it had been well for him if he had. In passing the palace he made prize of the youngest daughter of the king, and carried her off with two of her women; marching through the vallies till they had gained the main army. Both parties being sufferers thought it wise to retreat for some time.

The lady whom Gustavus had taken, though young, was artful in the extreme; and she, wishing well to the government, and ill to the