Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/184

168 In the morning, the Professor came, and led the party to Sunday school, which was held in the church, and was participated in by all the congregation, old and young. Afterwards came the church service, and at the end of the sermon the clergyman called upon a boy in the audience, who rose and gave a very full account of the discourse. After a little, the pastor told this boy to be seated, and called upon another, who took up the subject where the first had left off. The service was conducted in French. At that time theological students had to be sent to Geneva to be educated, as there was no seminary for them at home. The people seem to speak and understand it as well as their native Italian. They are very simple and friendly in their manners, and salute all passers by with a cheery “Bon jour.”

Professor Tron came towards evening, and took the family out for a walk through his most interesting valley. He pointed out a cave in the mountain side where a large party of Vaudois had hidden themselves from their Savoyard pursuers, who built large fires in the entrance, and suffocated the unfortunate refugees. In another direction was a mountain into whose rocky fastnesses the small army of the Waldenses had fled from their pursuers, who set guards at nightfall around their place of refuge, thinking that in the morning they would fall an easy prey. It was bright moonlight, and it seemed impossible that they should escape, but in the night a thick fog enveloped them, and the Vaudois, knowing every footpath, were enabled to slip through their enemies’ lines and escape, Such narratives, told upon the very spot where the events occurred, were of thrilling interest. Mr. Carter plied his informant with questions of the past and present. He was delighted