andoned, and M. de Parat, the
French prisoner, put to death, he acknowledging the necessity of the
sentence. Indeed, a crisis had come. Balsille could not be defended much
longer. The watch on the summit had been driven away by the enemy
commanding the opposite rocks. Happily the darkness was coming on, and by
its aid one means of safety was looked for, viz., flight. But when the
Vaudois looked out upon the glare of the enemy's camp fires their hearts
almost sank within them. And the French, on their part, were joyfully
anticipating their speedy destruction. But He who had so often fought for
Israel only permitted them to be reduced to such straits that they might
learn afresh how completely He was on their side. The camp fires, having by
their light revealed a possibility of escape through a frightful ravine,
were extinguished, so far as service to the enemy was concerned, _by means
of a thick fog_! So under cover of this shield of the Almighty the devoted
band, led by Captain Poulat, a native of Balsille, let themselves down by
an opening in the rocks. The journey was one of great difficulty. Branches
of trees and projecting ledges of rocks were used to assist the descent,
which was chiefly made in a sitting or sliding posture. Nor could the
fugitives altogether escape the neighbourhood of the French patrols, so
closely were they posted to the castle. One of the Vaudois, using his hands
to save himself from falling, let drop a kettle he was carrying, which by
its rolling down excited the notice of the sentinel, who at once gave the
challenge, "Who goes there?" But as the kettle made no reply, the men
passed on, Arnaud humorously relates. After descending the precipitous
sides of Mont Guignivert, the Vaudois directed their steps southward
towards Salse. It was now two hours after the break of day, and they were
cutting steps for themselves in the snow. A portion of the enemy's watch
discovered that they had escaped, and gave the alarm. Very quickly the
enemy pursued them in their journey, first of all for rest at Salse, then
on to Rodoret. Finding this, the Vaudois betook themselves to the summit of
Galmon, where they halted, and Arnaud reviewed his men. The sick and
wounded were sent to a declivity to be tended by the surgeon of M. Parat,
under a strong guard. The main body passed the night in the wood of
Serrelemi. A fog fortunately rising, enabled them to advance to a hamlet
called La Majere, where a shower of rain gav