Protestantism in the Waldensian Valleys - James Aitken Wylie

and are prepared to sacrifice all for it. They erected
barricades; they planted ambushes; they appointed
signals, to telegraph the movements of the enemy
from post to post. "Every house," says Muston,
"became a manufactory of pikes, bullets, and other
weapons." They selected the best marksmen their
Valleys could furnish, and formed them into the
"Flying Company," whose duty it was to hasten to
the point where danger pressed the most. To each
body of fighting men they attached two pastors, to
maintain the morale of their army. The pastors,
morning and evening, led the public devotions;
they prayed with the soldiers before going into
battle; and when the fighting was over, and the
Vaudois were chasing the enemy down their great
mountains, and through their dark gorges, they
exerted themselves to prevent the victory being
stained by any unnecessary effusion of blood.
La Trinita knew well that if he would subjugate
the Valleys, and bring the campaign to a successful
end, he must make himself master of the Pra del
Tor. Into that vast natural citadel was now gathered
the main body of the Waldensian people. What of
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