list of wealthy people, whom they intend to rob and murder; the Lord of Beauvais stands at the head of it, and as his house is rather retired, it is almost impossible for them not to succeed." "Enough, my friend," cried Cavalier, "now Catinat will you accompany me in order to catch these assassins? This time, I will take only fifty men with me, and shall return shortly to receive your orders, brother Roland." He made a sign, quickly mounted a little horse, and those, who were already acquainted with his will, followed him accompanied by Catinat. The man, who had escaped from the robbers, was also of the party in order to trace the villains. Edmond in the mean while had been removed. He lay in a hut formed of plaited branches upon a couch of moss, Abraham Mazel had followed to take care of him. The other leaders had also retired deeper into the wood with their troops. Roland, now nearly alone, walked up and down on the mountain plain, gave out orders, appointed new posts, and dispatched a troop under Valmal to procure provisions. Soon afterwards, Roland received intelligence through the centinels of the outposts, that they perceived in the direction of Rouergue a great number of men that, from their appearance, might be taken for the country militia. "These," said Roland, "will not be so unwise as to attack us in this strong place." A messenger came to announce that the approaching people had raised a great cry, and were not marching but advancing without order, and in tumultuous crowds. The noise was now heard ascending nearer from the rear of the mountain. "They are peasants," exclaimed Roland, as he came down from the eminence which he had ascended. "What can they want? Wherefore this commotion?" the procession drew near; men, women, even children and old men in the midst of them, all fluried, most of them in tears, each one would speak first, each presenting a hand to the commander. Those who were the most exhausted, laid themselves down on the ground, the younger men placed themselves in order, some had old fowling pieces, others sides, many were armed with short or long swords, several carried hatchets and axes. The fighting men amounted at least to two hundred in number, and when the tumult at length subsided, and Roland again asked from whence they came and what they required, one of the oldest among the armed men stepped forward and said, "Roland, you must know me and my father yonder, as well as many here from the commune of Melière, we, who have often lent you our help, all in secret attached to you, and who have daily put up our prayers for you to heaven. You also know our persecutors; why need I name them to you. But our calamity is still new to you, and truly one must live in our days to deem it possible. It is now some months ago, that the Intendant and the Marshal caused whole communities to be carried off from the middle of the Cevennes, as well as from Mialet; women, children, and fathers were