Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-29
CHAPTER XVI.
Check.

Thus was the virgin Camisard fortress
of La Cavalerie left in charge of a GER
tain Captain Maurice Raith. late aide-de-
camp to his excellency, the Duke of MARI
borough, presently known as one Pierre
Dubois, a wagner, with a precarious and
northumberland -inquired-into connec-
ton with the towns of Riche-a- Bayard and
Hoo.
Theologically the Prophet Catinat. an
old soldier Of the earlier Italian wars,
drilled the inhabitants with a severe
prayerfulness, much as he was used to ex-
ercise his company with pike and mus
ketoon.
There was. first OF all, morning service
which lasted two hours, from the shivering
matin chime Of the 6 o'clock bell at the lit
tie Protestant temple. Then there was a
prophetic review and forecasting (both
equally tedious) at the hour OF noon, and
In the evening q rechauffee Of both dis
courses, till the male inhabitants Of the
village came en- masse to Maurice to beg
from him some imperative military duty,
II 1t were only the digging of trenches or
the transportation Of earth.
And Maurice. his heart full of %pitiful-
ness, found work willingly for the poor
men. There was a certain heap Of stones
which OF was bruited) saved as many as
sixty God-fearing Camisards from suicide.
For as soon as they had transported these
bodily to the spot at which Maurice had
ordered them to be placed, it was always
open to him to bid his workmen to restore
the status quo.
1t was the day after the departure of the
seward expedition. Maurice had taken
over his full powers, and already Catinat
was developing into a thorn in the flesh
so uncomfortable that the military chief
could be under no manner of illusion as to
why Jean Cavalier had let his at home.
No matter what drill or military exercise
Maurice might order for day or night, Cati-
nat was always on hand to propose thai it
should be p~refaced by "a few words Of ex.
hortation," or to declare that "the spirit
moved him to an address at that time aud
place"
Yet Maurice, having by order Of Cavalier
nothing to do with the religious duties Of
the embattled mountaineers. could inter-
pose nothing. But he observed with SYM
patty the shudder which ran through the
ranks as the Prophet Of the Cevennes" set
tied himself to his fell work.
Now before leaving Patrick Wildwood had
taken his young countryman aside, and in
words few and chosen had committed his
daughter to his care.
Precious to me as the apple Of mine eye
is this child" he had said. 80 let her be
unto you. Without fear l leave her to your
charge, young man. the one eve lamb that
hath lain in an old mans bosom. Accord
ing as you fulfill my behest. 80 may the
blessing Of God Almighty rest 2 you.
Thus and not otherwise. have spoken to
the damsel herself, and as l understand she
is noneways averse TO considering herself
under your protection. Ever since our com
ing hither this young David OF a General
Cavalier has always proven himself as a
brother unto her. / have small doubt but
thou wilt do likeWise!'
Right willing was Maurice Raith. or IN
other words Master Pierre Dubois the waR-
oner OF Roche-a-Bayard and Hoo to perform
the commission laid upon him by Patrick
Wildwood.
He lost no time. therefore, being thus
armed with the parental authority, ia call
ing at the westernmost gatehouse Of the
Templar walls. II was shortly after sun
rise, and II came to him that. ss mayhap
the young lady was OF a sleepy head and
not yet up, he might find himself intrudlng.
He was moving on when he came suddenly
at the foot OF the winding stairway on an
ancient char-woman. her head wrapped
completely about In a pair OF her husbands
neither garments. the legs tied picturesquely
and sufficiently beneath her chin.
A msudlin smile played across her bloated
features and she displayed a set Of teeth
which. like the King Williams line OF bat
tie after steinkirk. was mostly gaps.
Too late, young man." she muttered
huskily. "the bird has down. You mus
seek her in a different nest. Yestreen II
! hRd been another matter, but