torrents--the wind, which had suddenly risen to
almost a hurricane, dashing it with fury against walls and windows; the
darkness became intense except as ever and anon the lurid glare of the
lightning lit up the scene for an instant, giving to each a momentary
glimpse of the pale, terror-stricken faces of the others.

"'Alas, alas, no help can reach us now!' moaned Sara, clasping her babe
closer to her breast, 'no troops can march over our fearful
mountain-passes in this terrific storm and thick darkness. _We must
die_!'

"'Oh, God of our fathers, save us! let us not fall into the hands of
those ruffians, who--more to be feared than the wild beasts of the
forest--would rob us of honor and of life!' cried Lucia, falling upon
her knees again, and lifting hands and eyes to heaven.

"'Amen!' responded the trembling voice of Rozel. 'Lord, Thine hand is
not shortened that it cannot save, neither Thine ear heavy that it
cannot hear!'

"The scenes that followed what pen may portray! the wild anguish of some
expressed in incoherent words, shrieks of terror, and cries for help, as
they seemed to hear amid the roar of the elements the hurried footsteps
of the assassins, and to see in the lightning's flash the glitter of
their steel; the mute agony of others as in the calmness of despair they
crouched helplessly together awaiting the coming blow.

* * * * *

"Meanwhile the fathers, husbands, sons, brothers were hastening
homeward, their brave hearts torn with anguish at thought of the
impossibility of arriving before the hour set for the murderers to begin
their fiendish work.

"There was no regular order of march, but each rushed onward at his
utmost speed, praying aloud to God for help to increase it, and calling
frantically to his fellows to 'hasten, _hasten_ to the rescue of all
they held most dear.'

"Alas for their hopes! the shades of evening were already falling, and
the storm presently came on in terrific violence, the darkness, the
blinding momentary glare of the lightning, the crashing thunder peals,
the driving, pouring rain and fierce wind greatly increasing the
difficulties and perils of their advance. God Himself seemed to be
against them.

"But urged on by fear and love for their helpless ones, and by parties
of distracted women and children sent forward from La Tour--some of
whom, in their terror and despair, asserted that the work of blood had
already begun--they pressed