e them a much-needed supply of
water. On the 17th of May, 1690 they had a sharp skirmish in the village
and churchyard of Pramol. They killed fifty-seven, and captured the
commandant, from whom Arnaud learnt that in three days Victor Amadeus would
have to decide as to the question of continuing his alliance with France,
or of uniting with England and other European states against Louis XIV.
Arnaud, who by his former intimacy with the Prince of Orange, now William
III. of England, was well acquainted with European politics, at once saw
how important was this news, and awaited the result with corresponding
anxiety.

The day after (Sunday), whilst Arnaud and his men were on the heights of
Angrogna, two messengers, sent by General Palavicini, announced the
decision of Victor Amadeus, and offered terms of peace in his name. The
sudden pleasure of such a communication, after nine months of hardship,
toil, and fighting, might have been too much for these poor persecuted
ones, had it not been tempered with doubts as to its truthfulness. But
gradually events confirmed their hopes, and scattered their fears.
Provisions were sent to Arnaud's men. The ministers, Montoux and Bastie,
with others who had been confined at Turin, now hastened to meet their
brethren. Everywhere they seemed treated with confidence; and, in
conjunction with the Duke's troops, they made several successful attacks
upon the French.

One of Arnaud's men having captured a courier carrying despatches for the
King of France, Palavicini, commander-in-chief of the troops of Piedmont,
was ordered to bring Arnaud with him into the presence of Amadeus. The
latter received the Vaudois deputation most graciously, and expressed his
desire that they should be henceforth friends, assuring them "that if they
hazarded their lives in his service, he also would hazard his for them."
In proof of this cordial reconciliation, Amadeus conferred the rank of
colonel on the brave Arnaud, the chieftain of the Vaudois. He also granted
permission for the families of the banished ones to return to their
valleys, and decreed the restoration of their ancient possessions. Early in
July Arnaud hastened to Milan to meet the refugees from Switzerland and
Germany, who with wives and children set out for their native valleys,
aided even by the kind help of those who, like the Elector of Brandenburg,
had given them shelter at some expense in his dominions, but who now made
fresh sacrifices to gr