had to make a rapid retreat, with severe loss both in dead
and wounded. After this an engineer, having surveyed the approaches to the
castle through a glass, ordered a picked corps of 500 men to advance in
that direction, supported by some 700 peasants of Pragela and Queyras, for
the purpose of destroying the fence of trees and palisades constructed by
Arnaud. Their attack was covered by the fire of 700 men, drawn up in line
of battle. But all was in vain; the fortifications were impregnable, and
the Vaudois, taking advantage of their confusion, poured down upon them
with such vigour that only ten or twelve men escaped. The commander and two
sergeants who remained by his side were taken prisoners, but not a single
Vaudois was injured. The enemy retreated in great confusion, and Arnaud,
assembling his men for thanksgiving and prayer, spoke so powerfully that
both pastor and people, officers and men, were affected to tears. On
searching the bodies of the slain, a number of popish charms were found,
vainly used as preservatives against the attacks of men who were supposed
to be in league with the evil one.

Catinat, like the Marquis de Larcy, in the affair of the bridge at
Salabertrand, was so mortified at his want of success, that he declined to
head another assault against the Vaudois, therefore he entrusts the command
to the Marquis de Fequieres. This new attack, on the 10th of May, deprived
Arnaud and his men of the privilege of the Holy Communion, which they had
desired to partake of on Whit Monday. The day following that on which the
enemy's vanguard was observed, de Fequieres formed his men into five
divisions, and completely invested the Vaudois stronghold. Finding the
discharge of musketry useless, he planted a cannon, loaded with balls
weighing eight pounds, on the Mont Guignivert, exactly opposite to La
Balsille. He then hoisted a white flag, and afterwards a red, signifying
that unless the besieged asked for peace that no quarter would be granted.
They had previously refused to surrender, on the ground "that they looked
to the aid of God to protect them in the heritage of their fathers, but
that if it were otherwise, they would not yield while life lasted."

The day following a breach was made, and an assault directed to three
different points. The attacking columns were covered by a furious
cannonade, and yet, wonderful to relate, none of the defenders were struck.
However, the lower entrenchments had to be ab