e episcopalian mercenaries, frightened by the furious assault, (and
not, like their opponents, inspired with a contempt for death,) made a
feeble resistance, soon gave ground, and finally fled with winged feet
back to their camp.

'The Spirit has heard us, brethren!' cried Matthias. 'Let us now
startle the crimson, seven headed animal, whose name is full of
blasphemy, from his den. Let us hurl down the great Babylon from its
golden saddle,--that they both may fall into the fiery lake which burns
with brimstone. On, on, on!' and, commencing the death song that, under
the command of Munzer and Metzler, had before inflamed the unfortunate
German peasants to the most furious war of extermination, the prophet
pursued the flying episcopalians. 'On, on, on!' he roared incessantly,
his spear dripping with the blood of the cowards who gave themselves up
to slaughter rather than fight. 'On, on, on!' song the troops, who
followed him in quick step, and the victors soon stood before the
fortified camp, behind which the armed episcopalians were crowded.

'Yield or die! 'cried Alf, in whom the battle had kindled the warrior's
enthusiasm,--and, rushing, to the barrier, he surmounted all obstacles,
and stood upon the wall, where his halberd became like the scythe of
the angel of death to the besieged. Incited, unceasingly, by Matthias,
the crowd followed him as the defenders were driven back, and the
anabaptists penetrated deep into their camp, until they reached the
place where the banner of the church waved over a richly decorated
tent.

'That is the hold of anti-christ!' cried Matthias, rushing into the
tent, while Alf drove the enemy wholly out of the camp. As he returned
from the pursuit, he heard a mournful cry in the bishop's tent. Pushing
in, he saw the prophet pitilessly raging among the defenceless
domestics of the runaway bishop. Many dead bodies were already
stretched upon the ground, and two beautiful pages were kneeling with
closed eyes, before the monster, about to receive the death blow.

Alf forcibly seized the uplifted spear. 'Thou hast appointed me to be
the leader of the forces, brother Matthias,' said he, earnestly, 'and I
dare not allow that thou shouldst give my troops an evil example by the
murder of these defenceless boys, whom we had better take prisoners and
keep as hostages, preparing their souls for heaven through our holy
baptism. Besides, we have not a moment to lose. The flying men have
carried the a