CHAPTER 1

ONTAINING SOME ACCOUNT OF THE VAUDOIS FROM THE PERIOD OF THEIR EXPULSION FROM THEIR COUNTRY TO THAT OF THE DISEMBARKATION OF THE EIGHT HUNDRED ON THE SAVOY SIDE OF THE LAKE OF GENEVA.

PICTURE: Lausanne The history now presented to the public is so wonderful in all its details that their bare recital, without the aid of art, will produce an ample interest in the reader.

I shall be content, then, to report them in order and with strict fidelity.

This could not be done by those persons who, carried away by avidity for profit, have published accounts with a precipitation attended (as it always is) by imperfection and error. The following statement has been drawn up from the notes taken by those who had the chief direction of the affairs it relates.

The name of “Vaudois” designates a handful of persons who inhabit the valleys of Piemont; and from these valleys the name is derived, as has been unquestionably proved by Jean Leger in the first part of his history, published thirty years ago. Their constant opposition to the court of Rome had made them notorious under this name in the earliest part of the twelfth century. They could not, therefore, derive it from Valdo the reformer, who was not known till about 1170.

Their history is a series of persecutions by the ecclesiastical tribunals, or of attacks by armed forces. Yet of all the wars, thirty-three in number, sustained on their part with much conduct and valor, the last was undoubtedly the most violent and deplorable: for by this they were expelled from their abodes, an effect which none of their former shocks could produce. Their numbers, indeed, had been sadly diminished, partly by massacre, and partly by proscription: for no peace was ever granted to them which did not add to the previous loss, by the sword, a farther one by banishment, by retrenchment of territory, and abrogation of rights.

I shall not dilate on the conduct of the persecuting powers, but be content with stating that the one has always excused itself by the plea of compulsion by the other; in support of which a manifesto has lately been published. Nor shall I dwell on the ejection of the Vaudois from their hearths, an account of which is already in possession of the public 1 .

The able author has exposed the cruelties by which 14,000 Vaudois, imprisoned in violation of the written promise of a prince of the house of Savoy, were reduced to a remnant of 3,000, who, more like spectres than men, were at last released by his royal highness of Savoy, and allowed to retire to Switzerland only in virtue of a treaty with the protestant cantons.

He has also so feelingly painted the arrival of these moving skeletons at Geneva, that I feel grateful for being spared a description which I could not have dwelt on without abandoning myself too much to grief. And the more so, when I picture to myself the joy of those who recovered their relations, contrasted to the feelings of those who learnt the death of the objects most dear to them, from the parties that arrived from day to day at the bridge of the Arve. The Genevese vied with each other in taking to their houses the most wretched of these exiles, and carried many of them in their arms from the frontier, where they went to meet them. Some arrived only to die, and others scarcely in time to be susceptible of assistance. These were put in a state to follow their countrymen who had previously been recovered, and who, after being clothed according to their wants, had already proceeded to Switzerland in performance, on their part, of a treaty, many articles of which had been violated towards them.

Let us now follow them a little among the protestant cantons, where they had all arrived in February, 1687. The Swiss, who had procured their liberation, now afforded them sustenance. The greater number of them were spread among the towns and villages of the canton of Berne, where they had abundant reason for content, if they could have forgotten their birthplace. But, not valuing life unless spent where it was received, they resolved, whatever might be the penalty, to return thither. Three times they made the attempt, and though the last only was effectual, I shall briefly mention the former, especially as their failure nearly destroyed all hopes of success for the future.

With respect to the first, made, as it was, tumultuously and at hazard, almost without arms, and totally without chiefs, arrangement, or the privity of their protectors, its failure is by no means astonishing. This occurred at Lausanne, the bailiff of which place prevented their embarkation at Ouchy, and ordered them, on the part of their excellencies of Berne, to return each to his own home. This first attempt attracted but little attention; not so, however, the second, which led much nearer to a conclusive result.

The first measure taken by these good people was to send three persons to reconnoiter the country. One was a native of the valley of St. Martin; another of the valley of Quayras; and the third of that of the Cluson or Prajelas. These men were ordered to discover the most retired passes over the highest mountains, in order to cross the rivers near their sources. They were also to endeavor to induce those of their countrymen who might still be hovering near the valleys to provide and conceal bread, which is there baked to the hardness of biscuits 2 .

The messengers were fortunate enough in going, but less so in their return.

For two of them, being suspected to be robbers, were arrested in a wild part of the Tarentaise, and examined as to their motives in avoiding the ordinary roads. They answered, that they were dealers in lace; and as they knew that much was made in that country, were going about from place to place to purchase it. Plausible as this answer might appear, it did not exempt them from a strict search. A few sheets of white paper were found on them, which increased suspicion. These were exposed to fire, but no writing was discovered. Some lace was then submitted to their inspection, which test of their knowledge in that way proved nearly fatal to them: for the native of Prajelas offered six crowns for a piece of lace not worth three.

This so confirmed the castellain, and other inhabitants of the place, in the notion that they were spies or robbers, that they were stripped of their money, thrown into prison, and interrogated in all the forms of justice.

Still they persisted in their first story; and the native of Quayras, who had actually carried a pack in Languedoc, stated that he could give a good account of the places in that province; and, among others, of Montpelier and Lunel. Upon this, a person of the same profession, who had often been in those places, was sent for; and as he affirmed that all the prisoner said of them was true, our three Vaudois were released after a week’s confinement; but their money, to the amount of ten crowns, was not restored.

The report of these men being considered favorable, both as to the possession of their country by foreigners, and as to passes over mountains hitherto deemed impracticable, the directors of the Vaudois held a council, at which it was resolved to make a second attempt. It was agreed that it should be made through Le Valais and by Mount St. Bernard. The rendezvous was fixed in the plain of Bex, a village at the extremity of the canton of Berne, and at a small league’s distance from St. Maurice, a little town of Le Valais.

They attempted to reach this spot without being discovered. For this purpose they marched by night, and by different roads. They could not, however, escape the vigilance of their excellencies of Zurich, Berne, and Geneva. At the latter place the discovery was caused by the desertion of sixty Vaudois, who were serving in the Genevese garrison, and who withdrew to the Pays de Vaud. The communications between these cities on the subject of this new attempt prevented the Vaudois from receiving in due time a boat laden with arms, which was to have landed near Villeneuve, a little town at the upper end of the lake of Geneva and not far from Le Valais. As soon as the report of this new enterprise reached the Savoyards and inhabitants of Le Valais, they lighted their signal fires, put themselves on the defensive, and posted a strong guard on the bridge of St.

Maurice; over which the Vaudois must necessarily pass, unless they crossed the Rhone below it. This they would have attempted if boats could have been procured.

While these poor Vaudois, not exceeding six or seven hundred in number, were yet deliberating on the best measure to be adopted in this painful dilemma, they were visited by Mr. Frederic Toronan, bailiff and governor of Aigle. He ordered them to assemble in the church, and there delivered to them a most edifying address. He exhorted them to patience, and told them, with tears in his eyes, that God would not forget the poor Vaudois, but would infallibly lead them back into their own country at some future period, in approval of their zeal to reestablish religion where it had never before been extinct. At the same time he skilfully pointed out the rashness, and even madness, of persisting in such an enterprise after it had got wind.

Thus he partially raised their spirits, which were completely restored by Mr. Arnaud, their pastor and chief of the expedition, in an exposition of the short verse of the l2th chapter of St. Luke: “Fear not, little flock,” etc.

This generous bailiff, having made them comprehend that God hath his own time, conducted them to Aigle, where he distributed bread and lodgings to them, charging himself with Mr. Arnaud and the principal officers; and to fill up the measure of his humanity, he lent 200 crowns to assist on their journey those who had to return to the distant parts of Switzerland.

This humane and gentle treatment made the Vaudois more sensible of the harshness of the inhabitants of Vevay. The council of this town, not content with prohibiting the Vaudois from entering its walls, or lodging in its vicinity, issued an order, enforced by a heavy penalty, that no one should procure them provisions. This they learnt from a widow, who, in spite of the edict, and at the risk of having her house pulled down, supplied the Vaudois with food in a meadow on which they had encamped. It is true, that this inhumanity on the part of the citizens of Vevay was but in compliance with a superior mandate 3 ;the political object of which was to compel the Vaudois, by necessity, to retire from the frontier. Yet it would be difiicult to remove an opinion generally entertained, that Vevay was punished for this act, by heaven, with a fire, which, shortly after, destroyed almost the whole town, without damage to the house of the charitable widow, though in the center of the conflagration.

The failure of this second attempt, which was made in June, 1688, was doubly prejudicial to the Vaudois. For the Duke of Savoy, thus rendered aware of their intention, and of their power of putting into execution any plan which they had well digested, was no longer satisfied with the “corps de garde” which occupied all the roads, under the command of his officers of militia. These were stationed principally in the environs of Geneva, (e.g.) at St. Julien, Lancy, Tremblieres, Chene, and Belle Rive. The whole of the eastern coast of the lake was also lined by them. But the duke now ordered two regiments of 1000 strong, into the Chablais district, commanded by officers of high birth and merit. The Comte de Bernex, of the house of Rossilion, commanded the regiment of Chablais, and the Marquess of Caudree, of the house of Alinges, that of Montserrat. The latter officer had also the rank of major-general, “marechal de camp,” or, as it is termed in Piemont, general of battle. These troops were followed up by some dragoons, at which the republic of Geneva took umbrage, and reinforced its garrison.

The second inconvenience, which attached to the Vaudois from this abortive attempt, was thepretext afforded by it to their prince to quarrel with the Bernois, whom he accused of bad faith, in favoring an attempt to invade his states. The Brnois were so indignant at a reproach thus affecting their honor, and fidelity in observance of treaties, that their guests became offensive to them; and they proposed, in order to remove such suspicion from the Duke of Savoy, to expel the Vaudois from their territories. The citizens of Zurich partook of this feeling of indignation, and convoked an assembly of the evangelical cantons at Arau. To this meeting the Vaudois of the greatest consideration were summoned, and informed that they would no longer be borne with, and were therefore ordered to withdraw, with the rest of their people, from the cantons in which they resided. The Vaudois were not a little surprised at this order; for, during two months which had elapsed since the failure of their enterprise, the Swiss had continued to provide them with subsistence; and their excellencies of Berne had even offered them the islands on the lakes of Yverdun and Morat to inhabit and cultivate as their own. A proposal was made to them to emigrate to Brandenbourg, to which they objected the great distance; an objection from which the true state of their feelings, and their unconquerable desire to return to their own country, was justly inferred.

To overcome an obstinacy which was thought dangerous, an order was issued, that all the Vaudois in the canton of Berne should depart within a fixed period. They obeyed; and, passing through the capital, had the satisfaction to discover, that the harsh tone adopted towards them was the result only of state policy: for they were not only much caressed, but received money from the secretary of the city, when they embarked, on the Aar, to seek the territories of Zurich and Schaffhausen, and, ultimately, spots still more remote, as opportunity might arise.

The country of Wirtemberg was not far distant from the places to which they had been ordered, and appeared well calculated for their residence, being fertile both in pasturage and vineyard. They therefore sent three deputies to the Duke Frederick Charles, who was at that time administrator, uncle, and guardian of the present reigning prince, the Duke Eberhard Louis. They found his royal highness and his council disposed to bestow all they asked; and, in fact, some lands were granted to them.

The Vaudois, however, whose object was to keep united in a body, finding that this would not be allowed them, implored the cantons of Zurich and Schaffhausen to permit them to pass their winter quarters in those territories.

The intercession of the ministers of other cantons, and of some Genevese, contributed not a little to procure this permission: nor was their cause injured by the large sums collected for them in England and Holland. From the latter country alone were derived 92,000 crowns; and his most serene highness the Prince of Orange, who has since so gloriously become king of Great Britain, sent Mr. de Couvenant to make a just and economical distribution of that sum.

Here was ample provision for the nourishment and maintenance of these poor exiles; but the question of finding them fixed abodes was always agitated, nor could it be easily resolved. The power, liberality, and offers of his late Electoral Highness of Brandenbourg at length determined the Swiss cantons and all those who participated in their interest for the Vaudois, to propose to them again that they should depart for the frontiers of Brandenbourg, and take possession of the lands which were offered to them on very advantageous terms.

Some of the Vaudois had already visited that country, and described it as very distant, and highly inconvenient both as to language and climate, which is in fact very different from their own. The consequence was, that notwithstanding all the favors of the late Elector of Brandenbourg, they at last openly declared, to the authorities who communicated with them on the part of the canton of Zurich, that they could not resolve to undertake the journey.

So obstinate a refusal was imputed to waywardness, or at least to an illtimed nicety. They were therefore treated without ceremony, or rather with rudeness, and few sermons were preached without allusion to their case. Prepared, as they were, by the manner in which they had been already pressed, for extreme severity, this conduct produced no effect on them. The Swiss were scandalised by the want of complaisance in these poor people, shown in their refusal of so advantageous an offer, provoked by their obstinacy, and resolute, moreover, in not swerving from their adopted purpose. They therefore compelled the Vaudois to sign an instrument by which they promised to go wherever they were ordered.

Mr. Arnaud himself signed this instrument, but at the same time protested against it, as extorted by violence.

The necessity of departure for Brandenbourg was now so adroitly insinuated, that 800 (men, women, children, and servants) determined to comply. As these persons were considered the most reasonable, they were escorted as far as possible; passports, and all other facilities, were obtained for them, from the princes through whose states they had to pass on their road to Francfort on the Maine. Here they were met, on the part of his Electoral Highness of Brandenbourg, by Mr. Choudens de Grema, a refugee from Gex, who conducted them to Berlin. At Berlin they were received by his electoral highness in person, with a cordiality worthy of his magnanimity.

Let us now return to the main body of the Vaudois, whom we left in Switzerland, in need of the greatest constancy, to bear up against the cold treatment adopted towards them. This tone was affected in order to convince them that they must absolutely remove from the cantons, and find for themselves places of abode, as in refusing to accompany their countrymen, they had rejected those which had been, with so much trouble, procured for them.

The Vaudois, seeing that it must be so, determined on departing each on his own way. It is true, that they were strongly inclined to slip back on the side of Geneva, but, as the magistrates of this prudent republic had taken measures against this step, they were forced to spread about the Grisons, the frontier of Wirtemberg, and some parts of the Palatinate which were assigned to them by order of the Elector, Philip William of Neuberg, who was then living, and anxious to repeople his desolated territory.

It now seemed that these poor wanderers had at last found what they were in search of, and that their only care would be to settle themselves comfortably. But their views were far different. Mons. Arnaud lost no time in proceeding to Holland with a Vaudois captain, Batiste Besson of St. Jean, to communicate with the Prince of Orange, afterwards king of Great Britain, and some other noblemen who had the interests of the Vaudois at heart. This prince, of glorious memory, having learnt, in an audience granted to Mons. Arnaud, that the Vaudois persisted in their design to re-enter their valleys, commended their zeal and piety, and exhorted him to keep them together, that so ancient a church might not be lost by separation. He recommended yet a little patience to the deputies, animated their courage, and gave to them the means of returning to their own people.

It would seem that Providence, who preserved this little flock for an example of wonders that will be related hereafter, was unwilling to lead it to a country where it could remain. In fact, they were scarcely beginning to be settled before the train of proceedings between the dukes of Orleans and Neubourg compelled them to seek their safety in flight, lest they should fall victims to the French, from whose fury they had already too severely suffered. Thus they at once resigned the estates and privileges granted them by the Elector Palatine, and the offers of the Duke of Wirtemberg, who would have employed the effective, and supported the remainder. But the question was, where to retreat. To advance into Germany would, on account of the incumbrance of their families, be to fall a certain prey to those from whom they were fleeing. In this dilemma they determined, as though by the inspiration of God, to seek their former asylum in Switzerland. And here it may be proper to reflect on the wonderful means by which God restored the Vaudois to their inheritance, in permitting the French, who had driven them out of it, to force them into the way of recovering it.

This new disaster in a country where they had hardly surmounted the discouraging difficulties always attendant upon a settlement on a new soil, increased by the disappointment of resigning to their enemy the harvest sowed with the sweat of their brows, so touched the heart of the Swiss, that, forgetting the disagreements which had occurred, they again received the Vaudois with open arms.

Mons. Speyseiger, a secretary, and Mr. Daude, a minister and refugee from Languedoc, made a most pathetic appeal in their behalf to the citizens of Schaffhausen; insomuch that the latter authorised Mons.

Speyseiger to represent to the other cantons the smallness of theirs, and to request that they would receive a part of the Vaudois. This representation, backed by one from Zurich, induced the canton of Berne to follow their example, and once more to extend their christian charity to the Vaudois.

Behold them now scattered over different parts of protestant Switzerland, gaining a livelihood by their labor, principally with the peasants, and always inoffensively.

It may here be remarked to their credit, that during the whole of their exile from the valleys not a complaint was made against them of bad conduct, with the exception, that one of their soldiers carried off a musket from his master at Zurich. But no sooner was this circumstance known to their principal persons, than the musket was sent back to its owner. Having now time for reflection, they recognised, in the misfortune of having been so long tossed about, a judgment for their inclination to forget their country: and conceiving that God had permitted this affliction only to make them better understand that they should never find rest but in their own houses, they resolved forthwith to reenter them, cost what it might.

This resolution was strengthened by the account of the spies, whom they had sent more than a year before, and also by the knowledge that the Duke of Savoy had recalled the troops from this side of the mountains since the spring of 1669, either because he no longer feared the Vaudois, who were farther removed, or because he was in want of his forces to quell the Mondovians, who, according to their laudable custom, had again revolted.

The great and happy revolution which took place in England confirmed them in this resolution. They saw that their avowed protector, the Prince of Orange, having been invited to that kingdom to re-establish, by one of the most noble and heroic enterprises ever undertaken, the power of the trampled laws, had been proclaimed king of Great Britain. The natural antipathy between this new king and the king of France; the zeal of the former for the protestant church, which looked up to him as her chief protector; his obligations to the powers which had favored his accession to the crown, promised, and soon effected, a rupture between England and France. This event was justly considered, by the Vaudois, so pregnant with important occupation for Louis XIV., that their return to the valleys would no longer be matter for his attention. They resolved, therefore, to take advantage of this indifference on the part of their most implacable enemy.

Their chiefs, aware that want of secrecy had been fatal to their former attempts, determined to remedy this error. Thus Savoy might remain unguarded, and Berne, in its ignorance, be prevented from being an obstacle to their departure, and at the same time justified from any reproach, by the Duke of Savoy, of privity to their measures. And so well did they succeed, that all their force was in march, without any knowledge, on the part of the subordinate individuals, of the object immediately in view.

Their rendezvous was in a large forest in the Pays de Vaud, called the Wood of Nion, between the town of that name and Rolle. A place well adapted for their purpose; secrecy being insured by the nature of the ground, provisions by the abundant neighborhood, and facility of embarkation by its vicinity to the lake.

The greater part had now arrived safely at this rendezvous, and were only waiting for some comrades, who could not indeed be expected to arrive so soon, as they had to come from the extremities of Switzerland, from Wirtemberg, and from the Grisons, and therefore ran more risk of being discovered. And in fact they were so. For some suspicious reports having reached Mons. le Comte de Cassati, ambassador from Spain to the Cantons, he immediately communicated them to Mons. le Comte de Govon, envoy of the Duke of Savoy. This nobleman instituted so strict an inquiry, that he discovered, on their route, 122 of these unfortunate people, comprising some strangers ignorant of the plot, who shared, however, the same fate as the rest. Not only was their money, to the amount of 500 crowns, taken from them, but they were stripped, bound, and marched to Turin, under every species of insult and cruelty, through the popish countries which lay on their way. Being ultimately imprisoned, we must leave them to languish for many miserable months, till their delivery was effected by the wonderful events which will terminate this history.

Their companions, to the number of eight or nine hundred, whom we left waiting in the forest of Nions, ignorant of what had taken place, weary of delay, and fearful of discovery, determined on crossing the lake. And it was indeed time; for a whisper was already afloat that there were persons concealed in the forest. This apparently untoward report was, by divine grace, highly favorable to them. For, many wagers being laid that this mystery would be solved by some new enterprise of the Vaudois, many persons were led by curiosity to visit the suspected places in boats. The Vaudois, who had only four small boats, a number obviously insufficient for their transportation, seized on this additional supply, amounting to ten more, and having joined in prayer offered up by Mr. Arnaud, now called Mons. de la Tour, they embarked between nine and ten o’clock of the night of Friday the 16th of August, 1689.

It happened that the day before a general fast had been observed throughout protestant Switzerland, a circumstance which contributed not a little to their uninterrupted passage over the lake. One insidious, but abortive, attempt to frustrate this undertaking was alone known to have been made. A Mons. Prangin, son of the late Mons. de Baltazar, who had bought an estate near Nions, attracted by the general curiosity, happened to hear Mons. Arnaud’s prayer. Like another Judas, he immediately hastened, during the rest of the night, to Geneva, and informed the French resident of what he had witnessed, who went instantly to Lyons and ordered off a party of dragoons in an ineffectual pursuit of the exiles. Their first trip across the lake was fortunate. They landed between Nernier and Ivoire, with no other accident than the separation, by a squall of wind, of their boats, which proved the means of their falling in with one from Geneva with eighteen of their countrymen. But when they sent back the boats for those who could not cross the first time, they had the misfortune to see all the boatmen but three, though paid in advance, take flight. This obliged them to leave behind more than two hundred of their men, as immediate departure from a spot so exposed to danger was imperative.

They had the further disappointment to find that many good men, who were brought by the boats which had remained faithful, would not proceed unless they were provided with arms; and also of learning that many others who left Lausanne on the night of the 15th, had been arrested, and released too late to arrive in time for the embarkation.

I shall not enter into the motives which led the boatmen to use the Vaudois in this manner; but fear of loss of life if they were caught in Savoy, and of ill treatment if they were detected in Switzerland, probably contributed towards it.

I can well imagine the reader’s impatience to know the result of a measure in which we find a handful of Vaudois, disembarked in an hostile state, with the resolution of traversing it sword in hand, of recovering their native country, and replanting in it the true church of Christ, in opposition to all the arts of papacy supported by the armies of two powerful princes.

And as every act in the attainment of an object apparently impracticable by so small a number of persons is in itself extraordinary, I shall now report with the greatest fidelity what happened from day to day.

CHAPTER 2

CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF TEN DAYS’ MARCH OVER THE ALPS, AT THE END OF WHICH THE VAUDOIS FOUND THEMSELVES ONCE MORE ON NATIVE GROUND.

PICTURE: Arch at Susa

FIRST DAY

Mons. Arnaud having, with fourteen others, set foot on the eastern shore of the lake of Geneva, immediately planted sentries at every avenue, and then applied himself to put his force into order as it disembarked. When all had arrived, they were formed into one corps, the command of which was to have been entrusted to an inhabitant of Neufchatel, named Bourgeois.

He failed, however, at the rendezvous, for reasons which shall not be mentioned here, as enough will be said of him in another place. This corps was divided into nineteen companies, of which six were composed of foreigners 1 , chiefly from Languedoc and Dauphine, and the other from the different communes of the Vaudois, as follows:

Corps Companies Captains Angrogua 3 Laurent Buffe, Etienne Frasche, and Michel Bertin St. Jean 2 Bellion and Besson La Tour 1 Paul Pelline.

Bobi 2 Martinat and Moudon 2 .

Prarustin 1 Daniel Odin.

St. Germain and Pranrol 1 Robert.

Macelle 1 Philippe Trone Poulat Prali 1 Peirot Foreign 6 Martin, Privat, Lucas, Turel,Tonfrede, and Chien.

And as there were still many soldiers who objected to fall into any of these companies, they were formed into an extra corps of volunteers.

The whole was divided into three bodies, avant guard, rear guard, and center, according to the system of regular troops, which the Vaudois always pursued. Besides Mons. Arnaud, whom they termed their patriarch, there were two other ministers, Mons. Cyrus Chion, formerly minister of the church of Pont-a-Royan, in Dauphine, and Mr. Montoux, of Prajelas, who had served the church of Chambons, in his own country, and afterwards that of Coire, in the Grisons, where he had left his family when he followed the fortunes of his countrymen.

Having taken such human precautions for their safety, they invoked the succor of the Most High; praying that he would take charge of their undertaking. After this, the minister Chion went to the first village to obtain a guide; but a Savoyard horseman, who had discovered our people, gave the alarm, and the minister was taken prisoner and sent to Chambery, where he remained till peace was concluded between the Duke of Savoy and our Vaudois. The same horseman rode towards our men, pistol in hand, and was immediately met by Mons. Arnaud and the Sieur Turel with six fusileers; but he displayed such expertness in performing “la volte face,” (wheeling about) that he escaped a shot fired at him, while running away.

It being then evident that alarm was general, and that there was no time to lose, some officers and twelve privates were sent to Ivoire, to persuade the inhabitants to lay down their arms and grant a passage.

The inhabitants understanding that a refusal would expose them to the perils of sword and fire, granted all that was required of them; but did not the less omit to light up their beacon, which might have entailed on them the performance of the threat, had not the Vaudois, by good luck for them, been in a disposition to admit of the proffered excuse, “that some children had done it in mistake.” As a condition, however, of pardon for this offense, the castellain and a garde du sel 3 were required to perform the office of guides; but they were sent back after half a league’s march.

Hostages were then secured in the persons of the castellain of Nernier and the sieurs of Caudrees and Fora, gentlemen of the country; these also were soon released, as the Vaudois would commit no breach of humanity, so long as resistance was not offered. They observed, in fact, so strict a discipline, that the peasantry and their cures came out to see them pass by, and could not help blessing them, and hailing them with a “God go with you.” The cure of Filli even opened his cellar to them, and would receive no payment.

Shortly afterwards some Savoyard gentlemen, well mounted and armed, rode towards this little army, till they were checked by the avant guard.

They then demanded the order by which the Vaudois were marching under arms. They were answered, that it was not their business to ask for this order; and that the reason for this appearance under arms was well known by every body. These gentlemen, indignant at this reply, commanded the avant guard to lay down their arms: but no sooner had these words escaped them, than they saw the main body approaching. They then suddenly changed their tone, and ordering some peasants who were with them to fall back, would have taken flight themselves, had they not been stopped, and obliged to alight and walk at the head of the Vaudois troop.

This was only done to make them repent of their rashness in ordering the surrender of arms. The Vaudois now ascended a hill, where they found themselves opposed by 200 armed peasants. A detachment was ordered to their pursuit, while the main body defiled in the wood to discover if there was any ambuscade. The peasants, commanded by Mons. Gropel, a quarter-master in the army of his royal highness, and the Sieur Mouche, castellain of Boege, made no great resistance. Their arms and drums were broken, and some of them taken as guides, under the threat of being hung from the nearest tree if they did not acquit themselves faithfully. One of the commanders was also detained, in order that he might bear witness that no disorder was committed on the march. This gentleman made an offer of refreshment as they passed by his house, which was not listened to, partly from want of confidence, and partly from fear of delay. As it was expected that the whole country would assume a hostile appearance, this person was obliged to write a letter to the following purpose. “These persons (the Vaudois) have arrived here to the number of 2000 4 . They have begged us to accompany them, that we may be enabled to give an account of their behavior, which we can assure you to be perfectly reasonable. They pay for every thing they take, and only require a free passage. We therefore entreat you not to sound the alarm bells, nor beat the drums, and to dismiss your men if they are under arms.”

This letter, signed by this gentleman and others, was sent to Viu, and produced a very good effect; for on the rest of this day’s march the inhabitants emulated each other in supplying the wants of the Vaudois.

The peasants were every where ordered to lay aside their arms, and to supply horses and waggons to carry the baggage; and these orders were executed with so much promptitude, that our travelers met with no delay.

However, as acts of individual transgression can never be prevented, a peasant shot at a Vaudois soldier, but missed him. The soldier pursued him and made him prisoner. On the other hand, a Vaudois killed a peasant, as he was running away under arms. Among those who attempted to escape, but were taken, was a Dominican friar, or hermit of the Ouarons, or Voirons, as it is pronounced.He had a dagger under his cassock: but proved a useful mediator on the march.

As night came on, they stopped near Viu, a little town of Foucigni, to which the letter that I have mentioned had been sent, and released one of the gentlemen who could not well support the fatigue of walking. After they had halted long enough to give time to the inhabitants to disperse, in case they had assembled under arms, they entered at twilight; and, having obtained refreshments for money, departed again two hours after the moon had risen. After an hour’s march they were overtaken by the night, and the hostages were desired to write another note to the town of St. Joyre, through which they had to pass. On their arrival at this place, instead of opposition, they met with a most friendly reception from the inhabitants, who crowded to see them; and the magistrates even ordered a cask of wine into the middle of the street to be used by the soldiers at their discretion.

Some partook of this hospitality, while others abstained from a suspicion of poison. Leaving this place, they crossed some shelving ground till they came to a little hill, where they halted in an open plain called Carman. It was midnight, and rainy; yet it was resolved to wait for daybreak, in order that their strength might be recruited by a little rest and sleep, before they crossed the river at Marni, where they feared that the bridge had been cut away. Here they released the hostages taken at Boege, and replaced them with two brothers of the name of Georges.

SECOND DAY

On the 16th of August, which was Sunday, the Vaudois found the bridge of Marni in a good state; and, passing it without resistance, entered a pleasant little valley, which the pea sants had deserted, and which afforded some fruit. About ten in the morning they approached Cluses, a pretty fortified town on the river Arve, through which it was absolutely necessary to pass. The inhabitants, however, had armed and lined the trenches; while the peasants, who had descended from the mountains, loaded the Vaudois with abuse; who, advancing within musketshot under an incessant rain, determined to force the passage.

At the same time Mons. de Fova heard some one say, that, in case of resistance, it would be necessary to kill the hostages; and being alarmed for his own safety, requested permission to write to the principal persons of the town. This he did, and represented his own danger, as well as the peaceable conduct of the Vaudois wherever they were not opposed.

At the moment that this letter was put in the hands of a messenger, the Chevalier des Rides, Mons. de la Charbonniere, and Mons. de Lochen, gentlemen of distinction, came out of the town to capitulate. The two first were detained; and at their request the latter was sent back with a Vaudois officer. When he arrived in the town, the order for march was demanded from this officer, who sternly answered, “that it was on the point of their swords.”

The inhabitants now saw that the affair was serious, and without farther hesitation granted the passage, on condition that the Vaudois should go straight through, and pay for their provisions. The town was then traversed through a lane of the armed inhabitants. Mons. Arnaud perceiving that there was no guard at the gates, set one at that by which the Vaudois defiled, for the purpose of greater security. In the mean time, Mons. de la Rochette came forward and invited some of the officers to dine with him. They, however, declined his invitation; but leading him insensibly out of the town, told him that they expected five hundred weight of bread and five charges of wine to be sent to them within half an hour. He wrote a note on the spot to his father, who instantly sent a cask of wine and as much bread as was wanted. The delay occasioned by this arrival of provisions being thought by some to be prejudicial, they threw the cask into the river, to the great displeasure of those who were well disposed to quench their thirst. Mons. de la Tour (i.e. Mons. Arnaud) paid five louis d’or to the inhabitants, with which they appeared well satisfied.

While the Vaudois were refreshing themselves, they observed some children running towards Salenche, a small mercantile town, and the capital of the district of Foucigni; and suspecting that it was with a view to give information of their approach, they compelled the young messengers to return. When the order was given to march, Mons. de la Rochette and Mons. de Rides expressed a wish to be set at liberty under pretext of going to mass; but were not permitted to do so. The valet of the former gentleman being observed to mix with the troop, some suspicion was excited against him; and, in fact, on searching him, letters were found from Mons. de la Rochette (the father) to the chief persons of Salenche. In these letters was an exhortation to arms, and a direction to attack the Vaudois in front, while the people of Cluses would do so on the rear.

Expecting opposition, and resolved on defense, the Vaudois defiled along a very narrow valley, hemmed in by lofty mountains, where a whole army might be stopped with stones; and this the more easily at that time, when the Arve, swollen by frequent rains, left scarcely room enough for the road. In the middle of this pass they came upon a village and castle called Maglan. The peasants were under arms, but contented themselves with being idle spectators of the march. Mons. de Loche, seigneur of the district, notwithstanding his affected civility to the officers, was obliged to proceed with them; but to console him his cure accompanied him. On this occasion they affected to march in confusion, in order that their numbers might not be counted. A horseman at speed was now seen on the opposite side of the river, whose errand was justly presumed to be that of announcing the approach of our Vaudois to the people of Salenche. In order to arrive at this place, the possession of a large wooden bridge was necessary.

Here it was that, in the ensuing year, Lieutenant-Colonel Mallet, with one battalion of protestants (religionnaires) stopped short the army of Mons. de St. Ruth.

When within a hundred yards from the bridge, which they expected to be disputed, the officers formed their men into platoons, to one of which were consigned the hostages, among whom were at least twenty persons of consideration. An order to put them to death, in case the Savoyards should fire, was given rather with a view to intimidate the enemy, than any intention that it should be put into execution. While they were forming in order of attack, three captains, with an escort of six privates, were despatched with orders to request a free passage through the town. On their way they met six of the chief persons of the place on horseback, who immediately fled; but our soldiers were so quick upon their heels that they caught one of them and brought him away. When the rest saw that their comrade was taken, they returned and came boldly to us. They proved to be Mons. de Carmillon, Mons. de Cartan, chief syndic of the town, Mons.

Fontaine, the castellain, and the Sieurs Bergerat and St. Amour. Mons. de Cartan represented that the question of a free passage was too important to be decided on by them alone, and that they must therefore return and assemble in council to deliberate on it. It was finally agreed that half an hour should be granted for consideration, but that at the expiration of it the bridge should be stormed.

These gentlemen soon returned, and said that the time granted was insufficient for determining on such a proposition; and perceiving that the Vaudois were not in humor to be kept waiting till more force should be collected against them, were about to return. The Sieurs St. Amour and Fontaine were, however, requested very civilly to dismount and augment the number of hostages. This compliment was not to their taste, so they begged that one of them might be sent into the town with some other, to point out to the inhabitants the danger they were in. The Vaudois could indeed have easily forced their way without waiting for all these parleys; but as they had resolved, as good Christians, to spare human blood as long as it was possible, and as it was their policy to reserve their strength for occasions when the exertion of it should be indispensable, they were willing to make one more attempt. With this view they allowed one of these gentlemen and another hostage to depart, under condition of bringing back immediately a decided answer. But instead of seeing them return, they heard the sound of the alarm bell, and saw 600 armed men take up a position near the bridge.

Our champions now conceiving that they must cut their way with their swords, formed several small detachments, two of which advanced to the charge at the moment that four capuchins came forward from their opponents. As christian charity induced a belief that soldiers of that sort seek peace rather than war, they were honourably received. They came, they said, as plenipotentiaries from the town, to offer a passage on condition that the hostages and horses were released. They offered, at the same time, to replace them with two of the principal inhabitants. This proposal to give up hostages of distinction, who, under the influence of fear for their own lives, had paralysed all attempts at hostility wherever they had passed, appeared at first highly objectionable. On the other hand, the Vaudois considered that two more were offered to them, and that chance might give them possession of others; they therefore accepted the proposal. However, when the two hostages were brought to them they found that, instead of syndics, as they had been promised, two pitiable wretches were delivered to them. Indignant at this shameful fraud, Mons.

Arnaud advanced with the intention of detaining the ca-puchins. His countenance seemed to betray his intention; for so cleverly did the good friars tuck up their gowns for a race, that two only were secured. These demanded why they were thus arrested contrary to the law of nations, which did not allow of the capture of persons treating of capitulation.

They were answered, that it was because, in degradation of their profession and character, they had deceived the Vaudois, and unnecessarily lied, in offering the miller as the syndic; and with this answer for payment, they were enrolled in the number and company of the hostages.

It must be owned, to their honor, that they were of the greatest assistance.

For, whenever a free passage was wanted, their remonstrances, intercessions, and prayers, with any who wished to dispute it, were always so efficacious, that the Vaudois were more than ever astonished at the power these good fathers possessed over the minds of those of their own religion. I leave to the reader to determine, whether the zeal they thus manifested emanated from fear, or a sound christian motive.

To return to the bridge in question, the capitulation being now void, a detachment was marched forward, which passed it without opposition, and lined it with forty soldiers for the security of the main body. When they had all crossed, they formed in line of battle close to the hedges, behind which the inhabitants had drawn themselves up. The latter, however, did not fire, but, on the contrary, fearing that their town might be burned, sent back two Vaudois soldiers whom they had seized. Our people thus advanced quietly, and, after a tortuous route, arrived at the village of Cablau, where they halted for the night.

The repose so necessary after a long march over bad roads and in incessant rain, was but incomplete; for neither could they procure provisions to allay hunger, nor fire by which they might dry themselves. Yet, drenched and fatigued, this poor flock had reason to be grateful for the rain, as the means of preventing a pursuit of which they had abundant cause to be in continual fear.

THIRD DAY

If on Monday the 19th the Vaudois were no longer disturbed by the motions of the people of Clure, Maglaw, and Salenches, they were not a little alarmed when they learned the difficult nature of the day’s journey before them, for they had to cross two of the rudest mountains of Savoy; on which account they purchased a good stock of wine at the nearest village.

Early in the morning the trumpets were sounded, and, as soon as they were collected, their fire-arms were discharged for the purpose of reloading them. Proceeding on their march, they passed through several deserted villages, till they came to a little town called Migeves, or Beaufort. Here the inhabitants were under arms; but as they offered no resistance, the Vaudois created no disorder. Having passed through this place they gained the summit of the mountain, where they found some deserted huts, in which they took shelter from the rain. On each side of the mountain were some places where the cattle are folded and the laitages prepared during the season of alpine pasturage. The Vaudois touched none of these things, so that the hostages expressed their astonishment, that so large a troop should show such moderation on their march; and not being able to accommodate themselves to so frugal a way of living, intimated that it was customary for soldiers to take provisions, without ceremony, wherever they could find any. This hint, or rather reproach, from men who were in the interest of the country, their example, and the desertion of their huts by the shepherds, joined to extreme hunger, induced the Vaudois to transgress their rule in this instance, by helping themselves to some bread, cheese, milk, and other food, for which they would have certainly paid if they could have found the owners. They succeeded at last in ascending the second mountain, called the mountain de Haute Luce, the mere approach to which produces fear; for it is at all times one of the rudest, and, at the period here spoken of, its dangers were increased by rains, snows, and a thick fog. So dense was the mist, that the guide, in his astonishment, was easily persuaded that God had providentially directed it to conceal the Vaudois from their enemies. They found on the summit, which they had thus gained with a difficulty to be imagined but not expressed, a deserted grange 6 , from which they took some milk and other trifling articles of food. They then beat up the country in search of some peasants to supply the place of the guide, who, on account of the mist, had lost all knowledge of the passes. It was soon seen that these peasants were conducting them by the longest and most dangerous paths, not from ignorance, but with the intention of delay till the Savoyards should overtake and destroy them in these frightful defiles: a remedy to this was found by Mons. Arnaud in a determined threat to hang them.

As the leader of this little flock knew how to subdue traitors by fear, so did he understand how to rally, by holy exhortation, the courage of those among his followers who were ready to sink under the complicated load of hardships to which they were exposed; and which, in this instance, was increased by the extreme fatigue of crossing a pass cut out of the rock like a ladder, where twenty men might easily have checked twenty thousand. If the ascent of an abrupt mountain is difficult, the descent is not less so.

Thus here they were obliged to descend, seated and sliding, as though on a precipice, and with no other light than what proceeded from the whiteness of the snow. In this manner they arrived, late at night, at St. Nicolas de Verose, a parish peopled only by a few shepherds. On this spot, deep as an abyss, desert and cold, the Vaudois were compelled to halt, with no fuel but what they obtained by unroofing the huts which sheltered them from the rain, thus escaping one misery at the expense of encountering another.

FOURTH DAY

PICTURE: The Col de Bonhomme On the morning of Tuesday the 20th, two serious accidents resulted from the impatience of the Vaudois to quit the bad quarters of the preceding night. The one, that Captain Meynier, a Vaudois, and good soldier, was wounded in both thighs by a shot accidentally fired in the dark. The other, that in consequence of a report that 200 Savoyards had insinuated themselves among the troop in order to attack it in favorable time and situation, a Vaudois, who mistook the Sieur Baillif (a refugee) for such a person, fired at him, slightly wounded him with the bayonet, and would have destroyed him, had he not discovered his error when Mons. Baillif requested time for prayer. Here, also, the Captain Chiar deserted, disheartened by fatigues too great for his delicate constitution. He carried off with him a very fine horse from a place where six others were left.

The course now lay over one of the steepest points of the mountain called Bon-homme, knee deep in snow, and with the rain pouring on their backs.

They marched in continual expectation of a bloody action, for they knew that, during the preceding year, good forts, intrenchments with embrasures and counterscarps, had been made in this quarter, in situations so commanding, that thirty men might not only have checked but defeated them.

But the Eternal, who was ever present with this troop of the faithtful, permitted them to find these fine fortifications unguarded; the troops having evacuated them in weariness of so long and useless occupation—a blessing from heaven for which they rendered thanks on the spot. After a long descent, always over snow, they came to some houses, where they bought a cask of wine. Perceiving that the rear guard were lingering behind, they halted for it in a little village; but as it did not make its appearance, they fired some shots, on which those who composed it, supposing that there was an attack, left the wine, which was the cause of their delay, and came up with all haste. They were now in the valley of the Isere, which they frequently crossed on account of the serpentine course of that river.

This valley was so narrow and so flooded that the troop was sometimes obliged to march in single file. They were in constant expectation too of resistance, and, in fact, it was not long before they discovered a quantity of peasants on the summit of a small hill. They were armed in part with guns, and had also provided a large stock of stones, effective weapons in so confined a spot. In truth, the Vaudois reckoned on nothing less than paying dearly for their passage, if they could force it. They were therefore agreeably surprised when, contrary to all hope, the peasants made no attempt to check them, but returned as quickly as possible to their village, when they perceived that their measures did not deter the Vaudois. They then sounded their alarum bell, and immediately a horrible chime was heard of all the bells in the valley, which did not, however, prevent the Vaudois from arriving at a bridge for which they had been pushing forward. It was found to be barricaded with great beams and interwoven trees, and guarded by men armed, some with guns, and others with scythes, pitchforks, etc.

While dispositions were making for an attack on them, Mons. le Comte de la Val d’Isere, seignior of the valley, came forward to parley, or rather to grant the passage. The peasants themselves were at the pains of clearing the bridge, and even the cure was seen to lend a hand to the work: after having done so, they withdrew to their village, which was at a musket shot’s distance on the other side of the river, for fear of being burnt, as had been threatened. As for Mons. le Comte, as soon as he had completed his embassy, he galloped off with a slack rein, that he might not be enrolled among the hostages, who, whenever they saw a person of distinction, said to Mr. Arnaud, “there is a fine bird for our cage.” As it was, two priests were put to sing there, and a third was released on account of his age.

The little town of Sey was now passed in tranquillity, though it had made a sad noise with its bells, and the inhabitants had taken up arms. The Vaudois encamped near this place, whence they purchased as much provision as they wanted. They had bread in such abundance, that the inhabitants came to buy it back again from the soldiers. Thus terminated the fourth day of their march.

FIFTH DAY

On Wednesday the 2lst, the Vaudois were en route before daybreak: all the villages which they passed through were deserted. One man only, who did not think proper to accompany the rest, shut himself up in his house and sold bread to the soldiers from a gallery.

When it was time to halt, they rested near a little town called St. Foi, where they bought bread, wine, and meat, without the least disorder; as a precaution against which good sentries were set every where. Here they were astonished at the obliging reception they met with. Many gentlemen, and a large portion of the peasantry, came out to meet them, and addressed them with great civility, expressing joy at seeing them, and praise of their purpose to return to their own country. They even pressed us to pass the night among them, and said they would bake bread, slay cattle, and give wine to refresh the soldiers.

All these fine speeches were insensibly producing effect on our people, who might perhaps to their misfortune have been persuaded to yield to them, had not Mons. Arnaud, who was with the rear guard, advanced to know the reason of the delay. The officers told him all the kind offers which had been made; but he paid no attention to them, having laid down for a maxim, that he would always distrust the apparent kindness of an enemy. He therefore not only made the troops advance, but compelled these flattering gentlemen to accompany them, as persons who had, beyond doubt, intended their destruction in the midst of the good things which they had proffered.

They soon entered a valley, narrowly compressed by mountains, bearing forests of thick and lofty trees, and abounding in passes which might easily have been obstructed; for the removal of the beams which were suspended over the little river which watered it would have rendered it impossible for our people to proceed. We arrived, however, in safety at Villar Rougy, where the avant guard made prisoners a cure and some peasants who were in flight with him. As they escaped from this horrible valley, many of the inhabitants were observed who had deserted their houses and retreated to the opposite side of the river. At Entigne, a little village situated in a plain surrounded by mountains, no one was to be seen, excepting on the heights, and armed. A detachment was ordered to pursue those under arms; and a Frenchman, who had loitered behind, was wounded. In the evening our Vaudois made a large fire in a meadow, near a village called Laval, and passed the night there. They found provisions in some deserted houses, and the chief of the village treated the officers. And here, at the end of eight days and nights, passed almost without food or sleep, Mons. Arnaud and his colleague Mons. Montoux supped and lay down on beds for three hours; and truly can they say that never was repast or repose more sweet to them.

SIXTH DAY

On the morning of Thursday the 22d, the Vaudois passed through the little town of Tigne, where they demanded the repayment of the money which had been there taken from the two spies, of whom we made former mention. The inhabitants were, indeed, well pleased to escape on making this simple restitution; for they had expected exemplary punishment.

At this place many of the hostages were released; and as some others had escaped, it was thought prudent to replace them by two priests and an advocate.

After this they began to ascend the mountain of La Maurienne, sometimes called Tisseran, instead of Mont Iseran, whence the river Isere derives its name. Here a boy, who had been compelled to follow us, broke a gun which had been given him to carry, and endeavored to escape by the deep and tedious channel of a torrent. He was shot at three times, and at last wounded. When the next halt was made the companies were separated, and some new officers appointed. After this, some very painful ground was traversed among Alps 7 , where there was a great abundance of cattle.

The shepherds, instead of running away, regaled our travelers; and gave them at the same time to understand that they would have great difficulty in returning to their own country; for though their march had not yet been opposed, it would be so, strenuously, at the foot of Mont Cenis, by a considerable force, who were there firmly awaiting them.

This news, instead of discouraging them, inflamed their courage. For, knowing that the success of their arms depended only on that God for whose glory they had taken them up, they had no doubt that he would open them a way through whatever obstacle might be opposed to them.

In this confidence they descended the mountain of Maurienne and passed through the little village of Bonneval, the cure of which offered to the officers refreshment from his cellar: and, although a peasant, who would not proceed with them as guide, was well beaten, yet every thing was granted to them which they desired. Thence they proceeded to Besas, where they were prepared to encounter the vilest rabble under Heaven.

When they arrived there they found the inhabitants extreme in arrogance and menaces; insomuch that by their insolence they compelled the Vaudois to take vengeance, which they did by carrying off some mules, the cure, the castellain, and six peasants, who, by way of disgrace, were bound. On getting out of this place they crossed the river, and encamped for the night, without shelter, near a small deserted village in a drenching rain.

SEVENTH DAY

On Friday, the 23d, they passed through Lannevillard, where they took the cure and some peasants as hostages; but on arriving at Mont Cenis they released the cure, considering him too fat and old for so high and steep an ascent. Having gained the summit, and knowing that there was a post-house near it which might forward a true account of their progress, they sent a party to seize on all the horses which they could find.

The sufferings of the Vaudois in crossing the Great and Little Mont Cenis surpass imagination. On the summit of the latter an idle show of resistance was for a short time offered by some ill armed peasantry. Here they found a little bread and wine, but unfortunately lost their way on their descent; an accident which might have originated either from the malice of their guides, the density of the fog, or from the new, and therefore trackless, snow. In consequence of this error, their descent from the summit of the Touliers was over precipices rather than by a path. To complete their misery the night overtook them; and many, overcome by toil and weariness, were left behind, separated from each other and lost in a wood, where they passed the night wretchedly. The main body gained the valley of the Jaillon, where, benumbed with cold and wet, they deemed themselves fortunate in finding dry wood for fire.

EIGHTH AND VERY MEMORABLE DAY

PICTURE: Near Mont Cenis When the light of the 24th appeared, the Vaudois had the good fortune to reunite, and resolved to incline in the direction for Chaumont, a little above Susa. Some soldiers were sent to reconnoiter, who discovered on the summit of a mountain a great number of peasants, and some French soldiers from the garrison of Exiles 8 , who were incessantly rolling down large masses of rock, to add to the many natural impediments of the passage; for the valley is so narrow, and the Jaillon so rapid, that the Vaudois felt as if they were entering their sepulcher. However, they determined to advance intrepidly; and having reinforced the avant-guard with 100 men, pushed on within fifty paces of the enemy. They then despatched messengers, as usual, to treat for the passage. This commission was intrusted to Captain Paul Pelene with a small escort. Two curds from the hostages were also sent with him to facilitate the matter; but these contrived to escape, and prevailed on the enemy to make prisoners of the captain and his attendants.

The Vaudois were now assailed by a heavy fire of musketry and grenades, and a shower of stones rolled from the heights. The avant-guard was forced to retreat, each individual sheltering himself from rock to rock, till they could defile through a wood of Spanish chestnut trees on the right bank of the river, which was crossed with great difficulty and danger. The sieur Caffarel, of Bobi, was made prisoner, after receiving a wound in the stomach from one of his own people, who mistook him for an enemy. He was, in fact, clothed in the uniform of a French soldier whom he had slain.

Those who had crossed the Jaillon, finding they were not pursued, retraced their steps and joined the main body. It was now determined to attempt to regain the heights, from which they had lately descended, as the danger of being surrounded in a hole, enclosed by perpendicular rocks, was but too evident.

To regain these heights it was necessary to climb, with inconceivable pain, on the hands rather than the feet. Some notion may be formed of it from the fact, that the hostages entreated that they might suffer death as preferable to such extreme hardship. The Vaudois, indeed, succeeded in regaining the heights, but with a confusion which cost them dear; for many of their men were left behind in the woods. Among others, were the captains Lucas and Privat, and two good surgeons, the former of whom have never since been heard of. Jean Malanet, one of the surgeons, with some soldiers, remained concealed for four days in a cave, with no other nourishment than water, which they fetched in the night. They were eventually made prisoners and taken to Susa, whence they were sent, bound hand and foot, to the prisons at Turin, where they lingered in dungeons for nine months. For those who were captured within the dependencies of Savoy were thrown into the prisons of that state; while those who had the misfortune to be taken within the territories of France were carried to Grenoble, and thence to the galleys; where such, as death has not yet taken pity on, still remain, though both ransom and exchange have been offered for them. Among these poor innocents is Mons. Jean Muston, of St. Jean, the other surgeon, whose firmness and constancy during so long a martyrdom entitles him to a place in this history.

This defeat sadly weakened this little flock in respect to both stores and men. But it did not weaken the hearts of our Vaudois, who consoled themselves by their conviction, that it is neither by force, nor skill, nor numbers, that God fulfils his marvellous designs. Thus encouraging one another, they resolved to reascend the mountain of Touliers.

The trumpets were a long time sounded as a signal to those who were lost, and after waiting two hours they proceeded, though many of their comrades were still missing, being apprehensive that an insurmountable force might be collected to dispute the passage.

So great was their precipitation that poor Meynier of Rodovet, whose wound has been mentioned, was left behind sleeping against a rock, with provisions by his side, as his only consolation. Two hostages took this opportunity of flight; some shots were fired at them, and one appeared to take effect; be that as it may, they both made their escape.

When our Vaudois gained the summit, they perceived, through a thick fog, some 200 soldiers, divided into two or three troops, marching with their drums beating. The Vaudois advanced intrepidly; on which the commander of the enemy sent a note disclaiming any hostile intention, provided the Vaudois would pursue their march in a line above him. In this case he also offered them provisions. Should they, however, resolve on forcing his position, he requested eight hours to deliberate on what course he should adopt.

Although the Vaudois were aware that this officer, the commandant of Exiles, was not to be trusted, yet they thought it more prudent to accept the proposed route than to force a passage which was strongly guarded.

They therefore filed to the right, but soon discovered that the enemy were softly following them under favor of the night.

This step convinced them that there was an intention to place them between two fires when they should attempt the bridge of Salabertrann.

This would indeed have been an infallible mode of exterminating a handful of men wasted by fatigue and misery.

In this suspicion they sent to inquire why those troops thus acted in opposition to their word; who replied that they had no intention of violating it: and immediately feigned a retreat.

The Vaudois continued their march through many obstacles, closely united, and halting from time to time, till they approached a village about a league from Salabertrann. Here they asked a peasant if they could have provisions for money. He answered, “Go on, you will have all you want, a good supper is prepared for you.” These last mysterious words, pronounced with equal significance and coolness, were understood as pregnant with danger. Unmoved, however, in their purpose, the Vaudois ordered the peasants to bring them some wine, and after a moment’s rest resumed their march. When they were within half a league of the bridge, they discovered thirty-six fires below them, which they rightfully considered as indications of troops; for within a quarter of an hour afterwards the avant-guard fell into an ambuscade, which retreated after firing one volley, and left five dead on the field.

As there was no longer any doubt of immediate battle, the