resentations of the most horrible cruelties,
said to have been practised by the Camisards. Even their best friends
and such as willingly lent them their aid, became displeased, and many
of the rebels themselves ventured not to extenuate the barbarity, which
these had permitted themselves to exercise against catholic priests,
landholders, nay even towards secret protestants. It appeared as if the
weakest party desired, in defying despair to outdo the harshness of
their foes; but this alienated many hearts from them and withheld the
help that otherwise would have been openly lent to them.

A serene summer morning shed its light over the mountains, when Edmond
with hasty steps took his way towards the secret wilds, where there was
neither track nor footpath, and which was only known to him from
representation. He felt as if his wonderful gift of inward sight was
conducting him in the direct way, for he discovered the most secret
directing signs by which the rebels alone could find a clue to the
hiding-places, without straying among the windings of the rocks, or
being stopped by the appearance of unexpected precipices. He left the
fortress of St. Hyppolite on one side and came in a short time after
having climbed steep mountains, into another rocky district, to which
only small stony paths led, and which far around was torn asunder by
spacious crevices and caverns. Here did the Camisards keep their
severely wounded that had been able to escape from the fight; if this
was impossible, they shot them themselves, in order to deliver them
from the cruel ingenuity of the executioner. In these caves, Roland
also concealed his provision of arms and ammunition, if he should have
a superfluity of them, and also a supply of food and wine, likewise
medicines, and that which was necessary for the care of the sick.
Government had already offered a large reward for the discovery of this
important place of refuge, but until now in vain, for only the most
trustworthy among the rebels were acquainted with this district, who
naturally would not betray it and they took care, that only those among
the country-people, whose integrity could be depended upon, should be
admitted. As Edmond went along the narrow way which lay on the right
under a steep mountain, whilst on the left, at the distance of a few
paces, yawned a giddy abyss; he was just reflecting how easily and
safely this pass might be defended, when he suddenly heard a large
figure with