had suffered, and asserted that
it was the infamous measures put in force against them which had driven
them to take up arms, which they were ready to lay down if His Majesty
would grant them that liberty in matters of religion which they sought
and if he would liberate all who were in prison for their faith. If this
were accorded, he assured the king His Majesty would have no more
faithful subjects than themselves, and would henceforth be ready to shed
their last drop of blood in his service, and wound up by saying that if
their just demands were refused they would obey God rather than the king,
and would defend their religion to their last breath.

Roland, who, whether in mockery or pride, began now to call himself
"Comte Roland," did not lag behind his young brother either as warrior or
correspondent. He had entered the town of Ganges, where a wonderful
reception awaited him; but not feeling sure that he would be equally well
received at St. Germain and St. Andre, he had written the following
letters:--

"Gentlemen and officers of the king's forces, and citizens of St.
Germain, make ready to receive seven hundred troops who have vowed to set
Babylon on fire; the seminary and the houses of MM. de Fabregue, de
Sarrasin, de Moles, de La Rouviere, de Musse, and de Solier, will be
burnt to the ground. God, by His Holy Spirit, has inspired my brother
Cavalier and me with the purpose of entering your town in a few days;
however strongly you fortify yourselves, the children of God will bear
away the victory. If ye doubt this, come in your numbers, ye soldiers of
St. Etienne, Barre, and Florac, to the field of Domergue; we shall be
there to meet you. Come, ye hypocrites, if your hearts fail not.
"COMTE ROLAND."

The second letter was no less violent. It was as follows:--

"We, Comte Roland, general of the Protestant troops of France assembled
in the Cevennes in Languedoc, enjoin on the inhabitants of the town of
St. Andre of Valborgne to give proper notice to all priests and
missionaries within it, that we forbid them to say mass or to preach in
the afore-mentioned town, and that if they will avoid being burnt alive
with their adherents in their churches and houses, they are to withdraw
to some other place within three days.
"COMTE ROLAND."

Unfortunately for the cause of the king, though the rebels met with some
resistance in the villages of the plain, such as St. Germain and St.
Andre, it was otherwise with tho