When the address had concluded, the preacher began a hymn in which all joined. Just as they began, Philip heard the crack of a stick among the trees. It was not on the side from which Pierre would be coming. He listened attentively, but the singing was so loud that he could hear nothing; except that once a clash, such as would be made by a scabbard or piece of armour striking against a bough, came to his ears. Suddenly he heard a shout. "That is Pierre!" he exclaimed to himself, and ran forward into the circle. There was a cry of alarm, and the singing suddenly stopped. "I am a friend," he exclaimed. "I have come to warn you of danger. There are men coming in this direction from the town." "My brethren, we will separate," the minister said calmly. "But first, I will pronounce the benediction." This he did solemnly, and then said: "Now, let all make through the wood and, issuing from the other side, return by a circuit to the town. "Mademoiselle Claire, I will accompany you to the chateau." At this moment Philip heard horses approaching. "This way, Pierre," he shouted, and ran to meet them. Fifty yards away he came upon them, and leapt into his saddle. "See to your weapons, lads," he said. "I believe there are others in the wood already." He was within twenty yards of the clearing when he heard a sudden shout of: "Down with the Huguenot dogs! Kill! Kill!" He dashed forward, followed by his men. A mob of armed men, headed by two or three horsemen, had burst from the opposite side of the glade and were rushing upon the Huguenots, who had just broken up into small groups. They stood, as if paralysed, at this sudden attack. No cry or scream broke from the women. Most of these threw themselves upon their knees. A few of the men followed their example, and prepared to die unresistingly. Some sprang away among the trees, and above the din the preacher's voice was heard commencing a Huguenot hymn beginning, "The gates of heaven are opened;" in which, without a moment's hesitation, those who remained around him joined. In a moment, with savage shouts and yells, their assailants were upon them, smiting and thrusting. With a shout, Philip spurred forward from the other side. He saw at once that, against such numbers, he and his three followers could do nothing; but his rage at this massacre of innocent people--a scene common enough in France, but which he now for the first time witnessed--half maddened him. One of the horsemen, whom he recognized at once as the man Pierre had knocked down with the plate, rode at the girl Philip had been watching; and who was standing, with upturned face, joining in the hymn. The man attending her drew his sword, and placed himself in the way of the horseman; but the latter cut him down, and raised the sword to strike full at the girl, when Philip shot him through the head.