re we ourselves
if we bear the like from an idolater, who has not yet abandoned his
former wickedness."

He would have rushed upon the holy man but Edmond intercepted him with
the swiftness of lightning, and threw him with such giant strength upon
the rock that all his limbs rattled, and he remained lying apparently
senseless. Old Favart beheld this with anger, and Eustace, the
charcoal-burner, became wrathful. Bertrand stepped wildly forward, and
a group of clamorous Camisards pressed round Edmond and the priest.
"Who art thou?" exclaimed Favart, "that thou darest play the master
here? Wilt thou act the nobleman here?"--He seized the priest, and
Eustace also laid a hand upon him. Though as Edmond stepped up to them,
Eustace, from old accustomed obedience, let go his hold, and Favart was
torn back by the powerful youth. "Lord, Edmond, Beauvais!" cried the
man, "our king!" They struggled with each other, and Edmond hurled him
down the mountain. "Our brother's neck is broken!" cried they all
wildly together, and rushed upon Edmond with drawn weapons, who in this
moment had been lost, if Abraham Mazel with a fresh troop had not
arrived: Clary, Castanet, Marion, and Vila were among these. Through
respect for Mazel they were quiet, and Edmond was enabled to lay the
affair before the friends. "We would not be cruel towards the
defenceless," said Mazel. Clary remembered Roland's express command to
spare the priest; the eloquent Marion exhorted and persuaded the
grumblers, and it was determined that the priest, while the guides
should clothe themselves in the uniforms of the slaughtered, should be
conducted to Florac, that he might there claim the protection of his
superior. Edmond offered to take this service upon himself, and Eustace
and several of the brethren would accompany him on this expedition.

Conversation and dispute were interrupted, while this scattered and cut
off band advanced, whose union with the defeated soldiers Cavalier
wished to prevent. The few cavalry went to meet them, the infantry
placed themselves in order, and a sanguinary combat began anew on the
height. Mazel led them on, and the bravery of the rebels made the
military, who were already discouraged, give way. Edmond and his
followers were with the young captain and his light horse, who were
exposed at a distance in an obstinate combat. The horse of the young
man was already killed, but he fought intrepidly and indefatigably,
however little he coul