ished, were seen with
their eyes turned to heaven, singing and praising God with their last
breath.

The savage fury of the ignorant populace was not yet satiated. Those
who had been hung up by the shoulders were now taken down, and so
dreadfully flogged, that some of them petitioned that they might be
thrown into the flames amid the ashes of their martyred friends; but
this was a mercy their cruel executioners had no intention of affording
them. Bleeding, they were dragged off to be imprisoned in a monastery,
where they were to be shut up for life.

At length Villegagnon, who had looked on with perfect indifference,
called to his companions to follow, and, the crowd beginning to
disperse, they were able with less difficulty to advance.

The lowest of the rabble only had exulted in the dreadful scene; the
greater number of the people exhibited very different feelings. Nigel
observed many in tears, or with downcast looks, returning to their
homes; others exchanging glances of indignation; and he heard several
exclaiming, "They died in a righteous cause. May we have grace to
suffer as they have done."

"Truly, as I have heard it said in Scotland, `The blood of the martyrs
is the seed of the Church,'" observed Nigel to another of his
companions, whose tears and groans showed the grief he suffered at the
spectacle he had just witnessed.

Villegagnon kept his party together, for more than once some of the more
ferocious persons of the mob cast suspicious looks at them, and
mutterings arose, "Who are these? They have the air of Lutherans, or
they would look more joyous at the destruction of heretics."

"I hold the king's commission, and these are under my orders," cried
Villegagnon. "Make way, good people, make way, and allow us to proceed
on our journey."

Still the mob pressed round, and where showing a determination to stop
the travellers, when a monk stepped forward, and exclaimed, "I know that
gentleman, and he is a true son of the Church. Interfere not, at your
peril, with him and his companions."

Nigel fancied that he observed glances of intelligence exchanged between
the captain and the monk, who had so opportunely come to their rescue.
The mob, at length pacified, drew back, and the party were allowed to
leave the town without being again molested.

They pushed on as fast as their horses could go.

"We have had a happy escape," observed Nigel's companion, "for although
a large portion of the popu