Jacques Bonneval; Or, The Days of the Dragonnades

ny voices, and all at once a shrill cry that made me shudder, followed by the passionate wailing of children, and the incessant barking of dogs.

he threshold of which my little brother Charles met me

also great billets of wood burning, which threw out intense heat, and close in front of it was placed my mother, penned in with heavy pieces of furniture, while two

change countenance a little. My father lay on the ground, bound hand

at was attending on his uncle!" Then, with more bad language than I choose to repeat,

ing on the ground, but, as my mother for the moment was safe, I did not mind the blows I was getting, but returned them with a fire-iron that lay within reach. I dealt blows with such

that I was got down at last, bound hand and foot, and my feet made bare to

en, recant thine a

es?" said I,

re falsely ca

at are falsely

e on this, and loo

in," mut

lied another. "H

that's no matter of o

take him in hand. You don't know how to question him." Then accost

for your life. Give us no double

t us and taught us by

lieve in S

cour

Virgin Mot

l called her bles

you wors

r, and worship

say?" threatening me wi

," put in

n!" and they hit

worshi

do

had cast me, thinking me dead. How long a time must have passed! for the stars were shining above me. Where were my parents, my brothers and sisters? I tried to raise myself a little and look around, but was beaten and bruised so that I was in agonies of pain, and sank back on the ground. The cold made my wounded feet smart indescribably; but while, with closed eyes, I was inwardly murmuring, "Lord, help thy poor servant, for I c

e of joy broke over my face

vives!" said my mother.

could not speak another word. I clo

help thee. I have found a place of safety in the vaults of Les Arènes, whither Gabrielle has already taken the children; and now, if

, mercilessly applied, proves that they not only can pull still, but pull well too. I am ashamed to say how these two beloved women had almost to carry me, a stout youth; and even all their strength might have been insufficient but for the potent spur of the dragoons' return. With an arm round the neck of each, and resting almost

she was sadly seared and blistered, and her heroism under

ce after I fai

aken refuge with Madeleine; and I then took the opportunity of raising your father, after cutting his bonds, and sending him off to the factory, whence he was to return with men to carry you away, but they have never come, and I fear some mischief may have befallen him. I would

el," said I, pressing my

o-day, may be ours t

city, the neighborhood seemed unusually deserted. People had fled, or were cowering in hiding-places, or were flocking to see what was going on elsewhere. I cannot otherwise account for it. Only that as we passed near the house of good old Monsieur de Laccassagne, we could hear the abominable uproar of drums within it, and it would seem as if all the drummers in Nismes must have been congregate

et, we could gain a distant glimpse of our factory, we p

is on fire!

d! you are ruined, perhaps sacrificed! I must go in qu

could not blame her nor wonder at her, though my

e pain I was in every time I set foot to the ground. Was it not alleviation enough to have her dea

le to descend, especially as we were so nearly in th

, "only not after dark, and have laid in stores

and were presently brought up by a wall right i

e, in alarm. "Hark! I hear the children laugh

ped through crannies and fissures, for of course there was no chimney. A savory steam arose from a large black pot suspended over this fire, and round it was gathered a motley and unruly group, not Gabrielle a

ed a gipsy woman, as Madele

ed one or two voices. "

voice. "There's a young man with h

eine, both of us anxious to plunge into the darkness, out of their sight, w

he, defiantly, "till you give some ac

e have only mistaken our w

mless people to be abroad at this time of night

d from his lips, came forward from a corner, and said. "Hold, there, enough has been said. I know this young ma

said I, strai

had the best of it; this time I have. Do

ne, readily, "and your beautiful ne

the hoofs of le Docteur Jameray's horse, and lent me your handkerchief. I have had it in keeping for you ever since," drawing it from his breas

needle-seller, whose name was La Croissette, were conveying me between them; or, in fact, he was chiefly carrying me, and she supporting my feet

was gone. La Croissette said, "

ied to burn my mother, have bound and beaten my father, destroye

y one of those things is trouble eno

affiance

rènes for safety, and left y

leine half carried me hither. Then we saw my father

gly, "I have found where they are; it is a ve

to keep off the draught, and food and bedding on the floor. I sank down on the straw they had prepared for me, and never was couch of down more grateful to a luxurious man than this poor pallet to me. La Cro

they of friend or foe? Madeleine went out to see. I could not bear her taking on herself every office that ought to devolve upon me, but could not help it. In a few instants she guided my father and mother into

no falling short. But, he added, he knew, and we all knew, that this was but the beginning of sorrows; that many a sore trial and temptation remained behind; that we had no strength of our own wherewith to meet it; but that there was all-sufficient strength in the great Captain of our salvation. Then he prayed the Lord to give us his strength, sufficient for our day, whatever it might be, even as He had strengthened Daniel in the lions' den, and Shad

sed, or, if opened at intervals, only saw vague, uncertain forms, and thus a deep, deep sleep fell on

beloved. I have heard persons say, "Have you the faith of assurance?" Yes, thank God, I have it, and have had it ever since He was first graciously pleased to call me to Him, and that was long, long ago. But all have not this faith; just as a man, wanting to go to Bordeaux, may not be assured he is on the road to Bordeaux, and yet he may be on the way thither nevertheless.