Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/403

Rh other, by a solemn oath, which Arnaud read aloud. Its opening words are as follows: “When God, by his divine grace, leads us again into the hereditary land of our fathers, in order that we may there again establish the pure worship of God according to our holy religion, we promise the pastors, leaders, and other men, in the presence of the living God, and as truly as we desire our own souls' salvation, not to separate one from another as long as God gives us life, even though our numbers should diminish to three or four.” Amongst various other items in the oath, we find one against plundering, and particularly against plundering the wounded or dead of the enemy. The leaders also bind themselves to punish every one severely who shall swear or take God's holy name in vain. The leaders swear fidelity to the soldiers, and the soldiers to their leaders. And all vow, before our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, if possible to liberate the brethren, and, together with them, establish his kingdom, and live for it until death.

Such is the oath which was afterwards called “The oath of Sibaud.”

Soon after this, the little troop had to commence an uninterrupted fight with an enemy tenfold their own force. Arnaud, with his company, was driven, still fighting, from height to height, and finally from the valley of Lucerne, to the still wilder valley, and the bare rocks, of San Martino. Many men were lost in this march; the French soldiers in their company deserted, and the confidence even of the Waldenses began to waver. But Henri Arnaud wavered not.