at the foot of the steep rocks of
Guignivert, which rises towards the west, and is thickly wooded at its
base.[E]

From this natural wall a rock projects against the river and over the
dwellings, forming quite a natural fortress. It was supplied with water by
three fountains. On this rock, then, the Vaudois determined to await the
enemy, instead of fleeing from mountain to mountain as they had previously
done. To this end they excavated, threw up entrenchments, made covered
ways, and executed a series of defences in harmony with what might have
been the suggestions of a skilful military engineer. They had three lines
of defence within the fortifications on the lower rock, and then, on an
eminence yet higher, they constructed a little fort, with triple
entrenchment, and lastly, overlooking all, they posted a watch to give
notice of the least movement of the enemy. In addition to this they
repaired the mill at the foot of their fortifications. During this Arnaud
preached twice a week and conducted daily prayer. The Vaudois had only been
a few days at their work, when the French battalions, unable to meet with
them at Rodoret, followed them down the valley, having already surprised
their outposts at Passet, though without inflicting loss. On the 29th of
October the enemy surrounded them with troops from Friday to Sunday. They
also tried to force the bridge, but were compelled to retreat, leaving
sixty men killed and as many wounded, while the Vaudois had not lost a man.
In the month of November the French captured one of Arnaud's men, who had
gone to nurse a sick friend, and in spite of the entreaties of the judge
at Perouse, a Roman Catholic, the commandant, De l'Ombraille, insisted on
his execution. They made no further assault upon the castle, but having
burnt all the houses, farm buildings, corn stacks, &c., they retired,
telling the Vaudois "to have patience, and they would return after Easter."
They were now comparatively free in their movements, and felt intensely
thankful to that gracious Father who had preserved them through so many
dangers, and given them, to retain possession of, the land they had come to
reclaim. They were about 400 strong, exclusive of that division which had
fixed itself on the mountains of Angrogna, and the two little bands which
still found a refuge in the wilds of the glen Guichard, or among the rocks
overhanging Bobbio.

The question of food made them anxious. But that God who had so wond