A sense of coming evil diffused itself through the atmosphere.  The air 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 Polwiller.  By this unlucky document, which was of course subscribed also by Van Ende, it was agreed that the Antwerp burghers should be forthwith disarmed; that their weapons should be sent into the citadel; that Oberstein should hold the city at the disposition of Sancho d’Avila; that he should refuse admittance to all troops which might be sent into the city, excepting by command of Don Sancho, and that he should decline compliance with any orders which he might receive from individuals calling themselves the council of state, the states-general, or the estates of Brabant.  This treaty was signed, moreover; by Don Jeronimo de Rods, then established in the citadel, and claiming to represent exclusively his Majesty’s government.