heir journey. What a sight that was, the army of children as
they stood waiting for the command to march!

Pleading parents and weeping friends begged the youths to repent and
stay at home where their duty lay, but pleas and cries were all
counteracted by applause and encouragement from thoughtless
enthusiasts, and after religious exercises in which God's blessing was
asked, and the oriflammes and crosses raised triumphantly, the army
formed in line of march, and then with a volume of cheers which drowned
the sound of sobs and protests, moved on, out of Vendome under the
protection and leadership of Stephen.

It was only a few weeks since the young prophet had been the humble
shepherd lad of Cloyes, but that was forgotten now, and as he led his
army from Vendome he had assumed a pomp and dignity quite out of
harmony with the appearance of his army. A leader of such a mighty host
must not walk, so Stephen rode. The Lord's own general and prophet must
assume the style which became his rank. He therefore rode in a chariot
as splendid as could be procured, covered with rare carpets of
brilliant colours. Over his head to protect him from the heat of the
sun was a canopy from which there hung draperies of every hue. Around
this chariot to guard him and carry out his commands, as well as to add
to the impressiveness of his station, rode a band of chosen youths of
noble birth, on chargers, dressed in splendid uniforms and armed with
lances and spears. This pomp and splendour increased the confidence of
his followers, who, too young to see the inconsistency of his conduct,
listened to his words as to those of God, and regarded his wishes as
law.

Out of Vendome, amid songs and shouts and tears and applause of the
crowd gathered to see the departure, moved the ranks of youths, their
eyes dazzled with the wonder and the glory of the leader--their hearts
on fire to do his bidding. And in Stephen there burned the zeal of the
real leader. In order to keep up the spirit of the host, which fatigue
would tend to lessen, he spoke to them often in stirring words. At
morning or noon or evening when they halted or encamped and also while
they marched, he leaned often from his chariot and spoke encouraging
words. Sometimes they thronged around him so closely when he spoke that
it was hard work for his guards to protect him from the consequences of
their weak homage and as they pushed forward to be near him, many of
the weak and small were