deposited in his cloister. He drew the treasured volume from his bosom, and the little circle united together in pouring out a thankoffering of gratitude and praise to God, for his providential protection to their wandering countrymen. Several days were spent by Father Bernard at this peaceful retreat, before returning to the camp of the Vaudois, to carry the equally welcome tidings of their preservation to their anxious friends. It was when reaching the termination of this benevolent pilgrimage, that the fatal event took place, which deprived the Vaudois of a faithful ally, and Herbert and Alice Vinçon of one, who, next to the leader of the exiles, had proved their kindest and most devoted friend. But we must now pass over the intervening months, during which, the Waldenses remained encamped in their mountain stronghold, unmolested by the foe, who had retired to their winter quarters, and once more introduce our readers to the lonely turret of the young captive at Pignerol. Let us only remark in passing, that notwithstanding the rigours of the season, most of the little band had survived its inclemencies in their Alpine citadel. The surrounding forests contributed an abundant supply of fuel; and the harvest of the preceding summer, which had been allowed to remain uncut by their enemies, had been miracu lously preserved uninjured, under a deep covering of snow, and warded off the certain famine that must otherwise have overtaken them. This fact is recorded to this day, by their pious descendants, as one of the most striking of the many signal proofs of the interposition of the Great Head of the Church in behalf of this persecuted remnant, and as a remarkable fulfilment of his own promise to his suffering people—“ Their bread shall be given them, and their water shall be sure.” CHAPTER VIII. I heard the bell tolled on thy burial day, COWPER. THE winter months rolled heavily over the head of the youthful prisoner. With many an anxious thought, he looked forward to the approaching spring, as the momentous crisis in which was to be finally determined, whether the standard of Protestantism or Popery should be erected in the valleys of Lucerna and St Martin. A large detachment of French troops, who had been occupied in summer among the Waldensian fastnesses, were now stationed at Pignerol; and, often did the heart of Ferdinand sink within him, as he overheard, from the place of his captivity, the fearful imprecations, and deadly vengeance, which they uttered against the persecuted race. Never was so deep a stain affixed on their ensigns, as on the banks of the Germanasca, by a handful of peasants; and the repose of winter only seemed to increase their thirst for revenge, and their resolution to permit the stigma to remain no longer. On the last day of April, 10,000 French, and 12,000 Sardinian troops, were marched to the Balsille, to effect the dislodgement of the mountaineers. 66 Every barbet shall be hanged in the evening, was the cry that resounded from the exasperated armies, as they planted their banners at the base of the impregnable fastness. De Catinat, the French general, placed himself at the head of the regiments of Bourbon, Artois, and Lasarre-the invincibles of the seventeenth century. The undaunted Vaudois beheld the terrific armament with unshaken fortitude, and prepared to receive their onset. An incessant fire was poured down upon them from the rocky arsenal-the older and more experienced marksmen occupying the loopholes, while the more youthful were employed in loading their muskets. A quarter of an hour decided the contest. The legions of France and Piedmont quailed at the desperate valour of the undisciplined mountaineers; they retreated in confusion, and left 400 dead on the field, while not a drop of blood had been lost by the Vaudois. De Catinat, covered with shame, threw up the command, which now devolved on M. de Feuquieres; but the shattered legions allowed them selves only a short breathing time, before again venting their unsatiated vengeance. And, on Easter Eve, the 10th of May, the trumpet once more sounded; and French and Savoyards, waving their naked swords in the air, vowed they should never again be sheathed, until drenched with the blood of the barbets. They poured, with furious resolution, across the bridge, seized the village, and, raising a breast-work and parapet from its ruins, protected themselves from the destructive fire of the besieged. By shifting their parapet of faggots, they gradually advanced nearer and nearer, until they were within speaking distance of the enemy. Surrender, ye base traitors!" was a demand which was again and again made through a speaking trumpet-" surrender, and perchance ye may somewhat mitigate the fate which awaits you. Think you, ye barbets of Satan, that ye shall be permitted any longer to wave defiance in the face of the combined forces of France and Savoy? Surrender, or, by our holy faith, ye shall repent of your folly." 66 But threats and menaces were in vain, to strike terror into hearts, who felt that God had espoused their cause; and Feuquieres, finding that a profuse expenditure of ammunition was all that was effected by his daring attack, fell back on the Guigenevert, a hill which rose on the opposite side H |