in columns
and masses. These men now shewed that they came from a good school, for
when the League disbanded them they did not, as formerly, separate
and spread over the country, seeking service individually, but
confederating together, formed twelve companies, chose their own
commanders from among themselves, and appointed their general in the
person of a man who went by the name of _Long Peter_. Being exasperated
against the League, and living upon plunder and forced contributions,
they became the dread of the whole country. Anarchy had spread its
baneful spirit throughout Wuertemberg to such a degree, that no one was
able to resist their depredations. The party of the League was
enfeebled by continual disunion, and was too much employed with its own
affairs to think of freeing the impoverished land of this formidable
band. The knights, being at variance with each other, remained shut up
in their castles, looking on with indifference at the state of affairs.
The garrisons of the towns were weak, and not able to repel them by
force. The citizens and peasantry, when they were not hard pressed by
these marauders, treated them civilly, being equally averse to the
government of the League, whom no one now favoured; it was even said
they were not disinclined to reinstate the Duke, by the assistance of
the same arms that had dethroned him.

On a fine morning of the month of August this body was assembled, and
encamped in a meadow of a valley touching the boundary of Baden. Tall
black firs and pines encompassed the spot on three sides, and formed
part of the Black Forest, with the rivulet called the Wuerm running
through it. Partly under the shade of the wood, partly stretched out
among the bushes of the meadow, the little army was distributed about
in different groups, taking their rest. At the distance of about two
hundred paces were to be seen advanced posts of armed men on the
look-out, whose shining lances and lighted matches inspired dread and
awe to the by-passer. In the middle of the valley, under the shade of a
large oak tree, sat five men, round an out-spread cloak, which served
them for a table, where they were playing at a game of cards, called to
this day lansquenet. These men were distinguished from the rest of
their companions by a broad red scarf, hanging down over the shoulder
and breast; but their dress had otherwise much the same ragged worn-out
appearance with the others. Some of them wore helmets, others