ccess, and easily
defended by a small number against large bodies of troops. These mountain
recesses, indeed, play an important part in the history of the Vaudois
generally, as well as in the exploits of Janavello and Arnaud in
particular. One of our sweetest English poets has beautifully apostrophized
the feelings of the brave valley men in the following exquisite lines:--

"For the strength of the hills we bless Thee,
Our God, our fathers' God!
Thou hast made Thy children mighty
By the touch of the mountain sod,
Thou hast fixed our ark of refuge
Where the spoiler's foot ne'er trod;
For the strength of the hills we bless Thee,
Our God, our fathers' God.

"The banner of the chieftain
Far, far below us waves,
The war-horse of the spearman
Cannot reach our lofty caves.
Thy dark clouds wrap the threshold
Of freedom's last abode;
For the strength of the hills we thank Thee,
Our God, our fathers' God.

"For the shadow of Thy presence,
Round our camp of rock outspread;
For the stern defiles of battle,
Bearing record of our dead;
For the snows and for the torrents,
For the free heart's burial sod;
For the strength of the hills we bless Thee,
Our God, our fathers' God."

It was chiefly on the heights above Sibaud, the slopes of the Vandalin, La
Vachera, and Mont Cervin, that they carried on their predatory and
guerrilla warfare. At one time they attacked 600 men, killed one hundred,
and lost only four. But they suffered almost incredible privations. Their
food oftentimes consisting of only wild fruits, raw cabbages, and other
vegetables uncooked. Occasionally they met with better fare; _e.g._, being
at Prali for two days they cut down all the corn in the neighbourhood, and
ground it at the mills in the place. Nor did they forget their duties as
Christians in the midst of all these hardships. Arnaud administered the
holy communion to the troops who were with him, as well as to those in
retreat above Bobbio. The retreat of the Piedmontese troops under the
command of the Marquis de Parelle, enabled the Vaudois to keep in
possession of the valley of San Martino, and to lay up a stock of corn,
grapes, chestnuts, apples, and walnuts. The flying camp also were able to
capture some convoys of provision, so that they could look forward to the
winter (this was now Sept. 16th) without much fear as to supplies