Just before nightfall, while all seemed quiet in camp, a noise of battle was heard far off, which grew louder and louder, telling of the approach of the fighters. Finally, the noise of combat was right at hand, and when the soldiers rushed into the camp there was great confusion. Among the prisoners were men and women richly dressed, little children, and old people, all prisoners, or flying on every side. The Anabaptists were ferocious in their joy over every success, and since John of Leyden had joined and led them they had been most successful. Peasants came into camp with baskets and loads of food, while those things were bought by giving in exchange many spoils of war--rich vases and fine stuffs of all sorts. Then the soldiers fell to eating and drinking, being served by their women and children while there was dancing and general rejoicing. Many of the girls who had brought provisions into camp had skated over miles of frozen waterway, thinking little of such a performance in that country, and all was gaiety and expectation. It was known that the Emperor was marching against the Anabaptist army, and while John of Leyden had been very successful, he had as yet no stronghold; so he decided, after talking with Jonas and the other two seditionists, to attack the city of Muenster itself. That city was held by the father of the Count Oberthal, who had carried off Bertha. Then, when the rout and camp gaiety were at their height, a stranger who had been seen wandering about the camp was brought in. He was looked upon with suspicion, and it was decided that he must immediately take an oath to belong to the Anabaptists. He agreed to do so and then, while every one was talking about the Prophet, the stranger was brought before Jonas. "Who is it?" he asked, for outside the rays of the camp lights the wood was dark. "One who is ready to take the oath and join us," was the answer. "Very well, but in this dense wood who can see anything at this time of the night? Strike a light there." "Yes, have a care, brother," said Zacharia. "Let us be certain the man is sincere in his purpose to join us." "To-morrow we go to take Muenster, which is in the hands of that traitor Oberthal," Mathison said. The stranger started violently. "We shall massacre the wretch and his people," Jonas continued. "Massacre!" the stranger exclaimed, then aside he murmured "my father!" because in truth the stranger who had been caught near the camp was none other than the Oberthal who had carried away Bertha. The three Anabaptists continued to speak in so blood-thirsty a manner of their exploits that Oberthal was horrified by the thought that it was his father who was to fall into their hands on the morrow. More than that, they expected him to swear to join their expedition.