seemed lurid with the impending storm, for the situation was one of
peculiar horror. The wealthiest city in Christendom lay at the mercy of
the strongest fastness in the world; a castle which had been built to
curb, not to protect, the town. It was now inhabited by a band of
brigands, outlawed by government, strong in discipline, furious from
penury, reckless by habit, desperate in circumstance--a crew which feared
not God, nor man, nor Devil. The palpitating quarry lay expecting hourly
the swoop of its trained and pitiless enemy, for the rebellious soldiers
were now in a thorough state of discipline. Sancho d'Avila, castellan of
the citadel, was recognized as the chief of the whole mutiny, the army
and the mutiny being now one. The band, entrenched at Alost, were upon
the best possible understanding with their brethren in the citadel, and
accepted without hesitation the arrangements of their superior. On the
aide of the Scheld, opposite Antwerp, a fortification had been thrown up
by Don Sancho's orders, and held by Julian Romero. Lier, Breda, as well
as Alost, were likewise ready to throw their reinforcements into the
citadel at a moment's warning. At the signal of their chief, the united
bands might sweep from their impregnable castle with a single impulse.

The city cried aloud for help, for it had become obvious that an attack
might be hourly expected. Meantime an attempt, made by Don Sancho
d'Avila to tamper with the German troops stationed within the walls, was
more than partially, successful. The forces were commanded by Colonel
Van Ende and Count Oberatein. Van Ende, a crafty traitor to his country,
desired no better than to join the mutiny on so promising an occasion,
and his soldiers, shared his sentiments. Oberatein, a brave, but
blundering German, was drawn into the net of treachery by the adroitness
of the Spaniard and the effrontery of his comrade. On the night of the
29th of October, half-bewildered and half-drunk, he signed a treaty with
Sancho d'Avilat and the three colonels--Fugger, Frondsberger, and