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Protestantism in the Waldensian Valleys - James Aitken Wylie

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horse;[7] compris<strong>in</strong>g, besides <strong>the</strong> desperadoes that<br />

formed its ma<strong>in</strong> body, a few veterans, who had<br />

seen a great deal of service <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> wars with France.<br />

The Vaudois, <strong>the</strong> enemy be<strong>in</strong>g now <strong>in</strong> sight,<br />

humbled <strong>the</strong>mselves, <strong>in</strong> a public fast, before God.<br />

Next, <strong>the</strong>y partook toge<strong>the</strong>r of <strong>the</strong> Lord's Supper.<br />

Refreshed <strong>in</strong> soul by <strong>the</strong>se services, <strong>the</strong>y proceeded<br />

to put <strong>in</strong> execution <strong>the</strong> measures previously<br />

resolved on. The old men and <strong>the</strong> women climbed<br />

<strong>the</strong> mounta<strong>in</strong>s, awaken<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> echoes with <strong>the</strong><br />

psalms which <strong>the</strong>y sung on <strong>the</strong>ir way to <strong>the</strong> Pra del<br />

Tor, with<strong>in</strong> whose natural ramparts of rock and<br />

snow-clad peaks <strong>the</strong>y sought asylum. The Vaudois<br />

population of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Valleys</strong> at that time was not more<br />

than 18,000; <strong>the</strong>ir armed men did not exceed<br />

1,200;[8] <strong>the</strong>se were distributed at various passes<br />

and barricades to oppose <strong>the</strong> enemy, who was now<br />

near.<br />

On <strong>the</strong> 2nd of November <strong>the</strong> Piedmontese<br />

army, putt<strong>in</strong>g itself <strong>in</strong> motion, crossed <strong>the</strong> Pelice,<br />

and advanced along <strong>the</strong> narrow defile that leads up<br />

to <strong>the</strong> Valiants, hav<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> heights of Bricherasio<br />

106

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