Page:Stories after Nature.pdf/37

Rh people was equal to the hatred of the monarch, for the same cause had produced both. They had for a long time provided their families with bread, and fed the rapacity of power by paying its burthensome demands upon them; the time however was now come when they were to effect a change.

They retreated from the city to the mountains; and there, suddenly hoisting a standard, gave hopes to all who would come to them. At the first their numbers were many; though not one third of what they should have been; for the poor-hearted, having no faith in their cause (though knowing it honest), would not join them, for fear of the king. They, wisely seeing that something must be done, came down from the mountains and gave the king battle; after a bloody fight they won it, beating the king unto his very gates.

It was now that the true dispositions of men appeared; for no sooner had they gained this victory, than those who were before tame, became as wild as wolves; and those who were afraid, were mad with valour in their cause.

The tyrant, fearing they would besiege him within his walls, hastened to try once again his fortune in the field. A second battle was fought, but with doubtful success, for night