as a hasty conversation between those on the wall, and it
was not long before they came to an agreement. De Luc feared that
he should incur the enmity of several powerful families, if he left
their relatives for execution. The citizens were equally anxious to
save their fellows; and were, moreover, scared at the threat of the
neighbourhood being laid waste, and the town attacked, by this
unknown force that had appeared before it. They had heard vague
rumours of the arrival of the prince and Admiral, with a large
force, at La Rochelle; but it might well be that he had turned
aside on his journey, at the news of the occurrences at Niort. The
bishop was equally anxious to rescue the priests, for he felt that
he might be blamed for their death by his ecclesiastical superiors.

Their consultation over, de Luc turned to the Count.

"Do you give me your solemn assurance and word, as a noble of
France, that upon our performing our part of the condition, the
prisoners in your hands shall be restored unharmed?"

"I do," Francois replied. "I pledge my honour that, as soon as I
find that the whole of those of our religion have left the town
peaceably, the prisoners shall be permitted to return, unharmed in
any way."

"Then we accept the terms. All those of the reformed religion in
the town, whether at present in prison or in their homes, who may
desire to leave, will be permitted to pass. As soon as you retire,
the gate shall be opened."

Francois and his party fell back a quarter of a mile. In a short
time, people began to issue in twos and threes from the gate. Many
bore heavy bundles on their backs, and were accompanied by women
and children, all similarly laden. A few had with them carts, piled
up with household goods.

From the first who came, Francois learned that the conditions had
been carried out; the proclamation being made in every street, at
the sound of the trumpet, that all who held the reformed religion
were free to depart, and that they might take with them such goods
as they could carry, or take in carts. At first it had been thought
that this was but a trap, to get the Huguenots to reveal
themselves; but the reports of those who had returned, discomfited,
to the town, that there was a great Huguenot force outside, and
that many people of consideration had been taken prisoners, gave
them courage; and some of the leading citizens went round, to every
house where persons suspected of being Huguenots were livi