They had already mustered in the field at an earlier season of the year, in considerable force.

Calling themselves "the desperates," and bearing on their standard an eggshell with the yolk running out--to indicate that, having lost the meat they were yet ready to fight for the shell--they had swept through the open country, pillaging and burning.
Hohenlo had defeated them in two enchanters, slain a large number of their forces, and reduced them for a time to tranquillity.

His late overthrow once more set them loose.

Renneberg, always apt to be over-elated in prosperity, as he was unduly dejected in adversity, now assumed all the airs of a conqueror.

He had hardly eight thousand men under his orders, but his strength lay in the weakness of his adversaries.