and north-east. The
fortifications, everywhere formidable, had, therefore, been constructed
with extraordinary care in these directions; for it was here that the
brunt of the attack must be borne. With Puritan simplicity and faith, the
reformed inhabitants of La Rochelle had named the strong work at the
northwestern angle of the circuit the "Bastion de l'Evangile," or the
"Bastion of the Gospel." It was appropriately supported on the right by
the "Cavalier de l'Epitre." Other forts, such as that of Cognes at the
north-eastern angle, were but little inferior in importance; it was
evident, however, that upon the ability of the Rochellois to defend the
Bastion de l'Evangile must depend the salvation of the city.[1276]

[Sidenote: Resoluteness of the Rochellois.]

But the chief strength of the city was to be found in the manly resolution
of the inhabitants to secure for themselves and their children the right
to worship God according to the purer faith, or perish in the attempt. An
incident occurring about this time served to illustrate and to confirm
their courage. A short distance in advance of the Bastion de l'Evangile
there stood a solitary windmill, which, on account of its advantageous
position, the Rochellois were anxious to retain. The captain to whose
guard it was intrusted, recognizing the ease with which he might be
surprised and cut off, took the precaution to draw off at dusk the small
detachment which he had placed there by day, leaving but a single soldier
to act as sentry. Meantime, Strozzi had determined to capture the mill.
This he attempted to do, taking advantage of a moonlight night. To the
two culverines brought to play upon him, the solitary defender could
answer only with his arquebuse; but so briskly did he fire, and so well
did he counterfeit the voices of others, that the assailants believed an
entire company to be present. At last, when he no longer could hold out,
the soldier only surrendered after stipulating for the life of himself and
his entire band. Notwithstanding his promise, Strozzi, when once his
astonishment at the appearance of the single actor who had played so many
parts had given place to anger at the deceit practised upon him, was in
favor of hanging the Huguenot for his audacity. But Biron would only
consent to have him sent to the galleys, a punishment which he escaped by
finding means to slip away from the hands of the royalists.[1277]

[Sidenote: Their military strength.]