ot deficient in intellect and penetration. If he
knew more of men than of their legs, perhaps he would be less impious,
for, from the foot, he ought at length to arrive at the heart, and
finally at the mind. It is true we probably stand in the same relation
to great nature; and if the Lord in his mercy does not approach us
personally, we cannot succeed even in loosening the thongs of his
shoes, if it is indeed permitted to talk of him in such a worldly
manner."

Just as daylight was extending itself over every object, and when they
had turned round a projecting rock, they perceived in the valley
beneath then, the Camisards marching with their prisoners. At the same
moment old Favart came running up and announced to them, that Roland
had descended with a troop from, the summit of that mountain, but that
Colonel Julien with a considerable body of men, was now posted between
them both, and that it would be very difficult to turn them. Catinat
marched forward with his band and was highly exasperated on perceiving
the obstacle to his further progress. "Mameluke!" exclaimed he, "this
Julien whose death I have long since sworn, crosses all our
undertakings. No mercy, should he once fall into our hands, nor need he
expect any either, as he is an apostate brother, who has abandoned our
reformed community, merely to please the government and to enjoy
worldly honour."

A loud shouting was heard, and Ravanel with a band, who had fortunately
escaped the royal troops, rushed from a narrow defile. They halted upon
the summit and the prisoners were brought forward. The court martial,
which was quickly held, sentenced them all to death, and scarcely were
the words pronounced, when the ready Ravanel shot the foremost dead
with his pistol, so that the gushing blood sprinkled Edmond, who was
standing close by. The fallen man expired instantly after a few
struggles. Edmond drew back pale and horrified.

"Thou hast surely not seen much blood yet, young man?" cried Ravanel
mockingly; "Thou oughtst to celebrate thy consecration to-day, and
massacre some of those wretches thyself."

"Not now, brother Ravanel," said Catinat, "the royal troops are
stationed so near and we do not know their number, therefore we must
not attract them hither by our firing. It would be difficult enough to
disengage ourselves from them afterwards."

"But the villains must not be suffered to live!" exclaimed Ravanel, his
anger aroused anew, drawing his sword he s