Thirteen chests of ammunition were captured, and all their contents, which were likely to prove serviceable, they appropriated for their own use; the remainder was sunk in the river. "We must The not rest here, my comrades," said their leader, after they had bound up the wounds of their fellow exiles, "we must not indulge in supineness after the flush of victory! We are yet in peril. The enemy may yet rally their numbers. Let us make the bold effort to forget, for another hour, our fatigues, and pursue our march; and, I promise that to-morrow's sun will disclose a spectacle which will gladden the most downcast eye, and cheer the most desponding heart!" trumpet sounded, and the little phalanx were once more in motion; their route lay up the steeps of the mountain of Sey, and the rocky path was lighted by a clear moon. Hundreds fell down from sleep and fatigue, and were saved from inevitable destruction, only by the rear guard which had been purposely left behind to urge them on. At midnight they arrived at the summit of the mountain. Here they flung themselves down on the cold rocks, with such coverings as they had, for shelter; and never was a couch more acceptable, nor repose more profound. CHAPTER V. Pilgrims! the end is near: Though faint, yet still pursue; When ye shall gain the mountain's brow, Shall burst upon your view! HOURS OF SORROW. THE exhausted troop had scarcely enjoyed their repose for four hours, when the dawn of Sabbathmorning began to break. Arnaud opened his eyes, just as the orb of day was peeping above the horizon, and tinging the summits of the mountains with his golden beams. He enjoyed for some time the glorious prospect alone and in silence, but when wood, and rock, and forest, that had been buried in the grave of night, were beginning to emerge from the darkness, and his eye travelled over the gorgeous panorama of his native valleys, he was no longer able to repress his feelings. He well knew there were hundreds around him who could participate in his emotions, and on whom that sight would act as an enchantment, making them forget their fatigues, and inspiring them with F fresh ardour to complete the conquest, whose trophies were now in view. He lost no time, therefore, in sounding his trumpet, which awoke the echoes of the mountain. His brave men, startled at the summons, leaped from their rocky beds, and in a moment every weapon was unsheathed, as if they had heard the signal for battle. "Ye mistake me-ye mistake me," said he to his faithful band, who were now rallying around him; "I summon you not to battle, but to the top of this mount Pisgah, that ye may behold the land of promise," the land which God gave unto your fathers!" "See, your own valleys," cried the joyful champion, proudly pointing to the verdant slopes in the distance, hemmed in by their colossal mountains, which seemed the appointed guardians of these abodes of truth. "Behold the land of your birth, the cradle of your earthly bliss, the sepulchre of your ancestors! See ye not, whilst I am now speaking, how yonder sun is lighting the rocky steeps of Angrogna, and flinging his rays over the heights of St Martino, as if to betoken that a brighter sunshine is yet awaiting us, after our night of darkness and exile is spent? Ah! my noble boy," continued he, turning to the only one of his followers whose countenance was clouded with sorrow" I know what brings the tear to thine eye: that ray doubtless, seems to thee to be misplaced, which is falling on the rugged peaks of La Croix! But think not of the cold tabernacle of dust, which has its temporary home amid these desolate solitudes; —think rather with what complacency the departed saint, whose spirit has winged its flight into a better world, will contemplate his exiled flock once more returning to the fold of their fathers! Jehovah, our deliverer, has brought us here on the morning of his own Sabbath; and ere we begin our march, let us unite in ascribing glory to Him, for the protecting providence that has hitherto guided us in all our wanderings; and let us set up our Ebenezer our stone of remembrance, saying, 'hitherto hath the Lord helped us !" " Upon this the whole assemblage, with their heads uncovered, and their hands clasped towards heaven, chanted, in strains of deep and thrilling melody, the following hymn; every rock and mountain echoing back the wild chorus, as if in sympathy for the exiled wanderers: Great God of armies! King of kings! Around our pilgrim band; Still o'er us may thy banner stream, |