Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/402

418 Well might it be sung of the little Waldenses flock, who, under the leadership of Henri Arnaud, went forth, in August, 1689, to reconquer their valleys, as it was of Gustavus Adolphus and the Swedes in Germany. “Be not dismayed, thou little flock!”—for it consisted but of nine hundred men, little acquainted with military tactics, whilst there lay, in the Piedmontese valleys, of French and Savoyan troops, twenty-two thousand men.

At nine o'clock at night, the little band was assembled on the shore of Lake Leman, at Nyon, in order to cross for the shore of Savoy. Here they fell on their knees, whilst Arnaud invoked aloud the blessing of God on their undertaking. The passage of the lake was made happily. During the whole night, and the first day, they proceeded through the mountain pass, in heavy rain; but nevertheless, in the evening, they returned thanks to God who had permitted their advance to be made so far successfully. Henri Arnaud has himself kept a diary of his march through the most inaccessible and dangerous pass, which they chose in order to escape observation. We cannot follow them through it.

Twelve days after their landing on the shore of Savoy, they again beheld their valleys. The troop had now diminished to seven hundred; but they were possessed of a firm confidence, and an unwavering courage. In the beautiful valley of Lucerne, after having put to flight two hundred soldiers of Savoy, they were able, upon a hill by the clear waters of the river Pelice, to listen to a sermon from Pastor Montoux; after which, they bound themselves to each