Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/400

416 discovered their intentions and drove them back. The following year, a troop of from six to seven hundred, assembled on the valley of the Rhone, in order thence to endeavor to force their way to their mountains. It was now evident that a more mature plan was in operation. They had sent messengers before hand, to spy out the way to their valleys, and to prepare the brethren who still lingered there, for their arrival, and they had already received from them encouraging answers.

But the plan of the poor, home-sick exiles, was again discovered, and the French commandant at Aigle, in the Rhone valley, counseled them—yet with great humanity and good will—to abandon their undertaking. He consoled them at the same time by a discourse on the text, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's pleasure to give you the kingdom.” And whilst the dejected wanderers went to pitch again their tents in a foreign land, Providence was preparing the man and the means which should carry out their attempt to victory.

This man was Henri Arnaud. He was born in Dauphine, and was early destined, by his parents, for the priest's office. He studied for this purpose, but the spirit and the necessity of the times caused him to abandon this career for that of the soldier. He took service under the Prince of Orange, afterwards king of England; distinguished himself especially in military tactics, was appointed captain, and received many proofs of the princely favor. He afterwards abandoned, likewise, the service of war, resumed his clerical studies, and was consecrated as priest in the