Gustavus was again all ready for his attack on Ingolstadt October 8th, when a courier from Oxenstiern informed him that not only Hölch's regiment, but Wallenstein's main army, twenty thousand strong, had crossed into Saxony on October 5th. He decided at once to call in all divisions of his army and to concentrate at Erfurth. On the 12th he was joined by Oxenstiern and Knipenhausen. As they marched through those great forests he kept his friend and chancellor much by his side. He talked over with Oxenstiern what should be the terms of peace, when it could be made, and distinctly told him that in the case of the death of his king he, as chancellor, must bring the war sooner or later to a successful close. Also he talked of the government at home, of his wife, but most of all of the little maid upon whom the sorrow of ruling an impoverished kingdom would fall, should he lose his life. On October 28th the army was at Erfurth, having marched from Bavaria in eighteen days. Wallenstein declared, "To do that they must have flown." As Gustavus came through the country he received the most enthusiastic welcome. His soldiers were generously fed and lodged, they held prayers night and morning with their hosts, and while the people thanked them for coming, the soldiers thanked the people for their kindness and hospitality. It was John George who was vacillating, not his people, they were always true to the evangelical faith. Gustavus rode at the head of his army on a large white horse, he wore a plain gray suit, a gray hat on which was a large white feather. This was the only distinguishing mark of rank in his costume. All soldiers and sailors are more or less superstitious. An incident which the army took as a good omen occurred as they passed the Thuringian forest. The king saw a hawk pursuing a lark, which flew into the bosom of the king, who took the trembling bird in his hands, holding it till the hawk was out of sight, then he said, "Go, poor little bird, may God protect you." The army took this to mean that Austria was the bird of prey, and that Protestantism had thrown itself into the arms of the king of Sweden for protection, and the privilege would be given him of God to set it free. On October 23d the different divisions of his army met in Arnstadt. Here he and his best loved friend, Chancellor Oxenstiern, parted to meet no more on this earth. At Erfurth he met his queen, who was waiting for him. He had but little time to talk with her of the home land, or of the little maid upon whom their love was lavished. Wallenstein was not far away, so, on the 28th, he called the town council of Erfurth together, and addressing them in their own language, he said: