should
lose his companion. A right feeling, however, soon rose in his bosom,
and he rejoiced at Meta's change of fortune.

The peasant-army meantime increased in numbers, and a vast concourse,
under a fanatical leader, Thomas Munser, marched through the land,
burning castles and towns which refused to admit them, and committing
all sorts of atrocities. There were several similar bands. The people
in the Black Forest rallied round John Muller of Bulgenbach. Wearing a
red cap and a red cloak, he rode from village to village, ordering the
church bells to summon the people to his standard. Several noblemen
were compelled to join them. Among others, the famous Geotz von Ber
Lichengen was forced to put himself at the head of the rebel army. Many
towns, unable to withstand them, opened their gates, and the citizens
received them with acclamations. Dr Martin Luther and many other
leaders of the Reformation exerted all their influence to induce the
peasants to return to their homes. They wrote, they preached, and
showed how such proceedings were opposed to the principles of the
gospel. At length a large army, raised by the Ex-Emperor of Germany,
was sent against the insurgents, while the nobles, in every direction
taking courage, banded together to put down the insurrection. Fearfully
did they retaliate on the unhappy people for the insults they had
received. Seldom could the insurgent bands withstand the well-trained
forces sent against them, and a large part of the country was deluged in
blood, the fugitives in most instances being slaughtered without mercy.

CHAPTER NINE.

The band which set forth from the neighbourhood of Gutech was not more
successful than others. Although at first they captured and burned a
number of castles and entered several towns, in which they levied
contributions from the inhabitants, they at length encountered the
imperial forces. Not an instant could they withstand the well-trained
troops of Germany, but fled before them like chaff before the wind. On
reaching the neighbourhood of their own homes they, gathering courage,
showed a bolder front than before. It would have been happier for the
misguided men had they continued their flight. Old Moretz would not
consent to eat the bread of idleness, and had declined the bounty freely
offered him by the count. He and Karl had gone farther from home than
usual on their daily avocation, when their ears were attracted by what
appear