d by a
countermand from the other. Troops, who were summoned, received on the
way notice to return home. Unwilling to see himself frustrated at
every point, Lavater retired, for a while, to Kyburg. The inhabitants
of the frontiers toward Zug and Luzern, were partly intimidated and
partly incensed by a flood of disparaging reports, which were sent
thither. Petitions from Bern, not to be too rash, not to make the
first attack, were continually arriving. These were supported by a
majority of the members of both Councils, who, paralyzed by fear, by a
criminal regard to their own private interests, or buoyed up by a
haughty self-confidence, affected to consider the step taken by the
adverse party as a mere show, or as greatly exaggerated by public
rumor. A hearing was granted to the ever-busy advocates of peace, whose
numbers were now swelled by a delegation from Strassburg; and through
their entreaties and promises, every decisive measure was postponed.
Meanwhile, the courage of the Five Cantons so increased, in view of the
helplessness of their opponents, that early in October, their deputies
assembled in Brunnen, in order to take final action. Here the treaties
were first read, and then all were questioned, upon oath, by the
bailiff Richmuth of Schwyz, whether they had been so violated by Zurich
and Bern, that war could be lawfully declared against them. It was
decided unanimously in the affirmative, and on the 9th of October,
after a long explanation of all the motives that prompted them to this
course, the campaign was begun.

On the same day, 600 Luzerners and 50 volunteers from each of the other
cantons reached Hochdorf, and from thence, strengthened by 400 men from
the upper free bailiwicks, advanced to Hitzkirch. From the latter
place, the commander Von Muelinen fell back upon Bremgarten, and sent
call after call to Zurich for aid. On the 10th, the chief force of the
Five Cantons, each division under its own _landamman_ and
_schultheiss_, advanced to Zug, where they waited for the approach of
the Zurichers. They brought with them a challenge against Zurich, to
the following effect:

"We, the captains, bannerets and commons-at-war of the Five old
Christian Cantons make known to the Councils and commons of Zurich, by
this our letter: For a long time now, as regards our fair and honorable
rights and desires, contrary to sworn treaties and the _Landfriede_
concluded between us, contrary to Christian discipline and uni