ition against the Camisards. Roland and the
others now arose, and formed a large circle to pass sentence on the
unfortunate men. Young Clement trembled violently on seeing himself
exposed to the cruel arbitration of his enemies, and the Vicar looked
round, to try and discover an acquaintance, to be able to find, at any
rate, some means of deliverance, or mitigation of his condition. At
length he perceived Cavalier, who with the rest had approached nearer,
and cried: "Oh! best of young men, I know not 'tis true, who you may
be, but you have, as you know, rescued us formerly, intercede for me
now, for I perceive clearly that you must be quite at home here among
you comrades."

"Have not you and your fellows," said Roland, with the greatest
gravity, "reduced to ashes that same benevolent house since that time,
which then saved our brother Cavalier, as well as yourself, and the
execrable hermit." "There is not much to say in reply to this," said
the priest, opening wide his eyes, "than that I am wondering, that the
little delicate fellow should be nothing less than Cavalier."

Duplant said, "The Lord has given you into our hands at the moment that
you were in the act of plundering a commune after having slain several
of our friends. We came unexpectedly, to the succour of the oppressed,
many have fallen, some escaped, but these, forty in number, have become
our prisoners."

"Shall they die?"

"Have mercy on us," whined Clement, as he threw himself down before
Roland.

"I cannot give you grace," said the latter retiring from the circle,
"you spare none of us and with your own free will you urge on to
murder: endure then your fate."

"Little man," cried the Vicar, "world-renowned Cavalier, listen to
reason and be humane."

"Is it seemly in you to speak thus?" replied the young commander, "you,
who revel in cruelty; who has called upon you to dye your hands with
the blood of innocence."

Castanet came forward: "Will you, beloved, honoured brethren, deliver
the execrable wretches up into my hands?" asked he, looking round the
circle. "Yes! yes!" resounded from all sides, "this solemn day belongs
to you, annihilate them, command, do with them what you will, they are
given up to you."

"Now we are falling out of the frying-pan into the fire," said the
priest to Clement, "for the thick, stout, prophecying man will play an
ugly game with us, even the gentle Cavalier would not grant us grace;
courage! make the best of a