Page:Memoirs of a Huguenot Family.djvu/161

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SOLDIERS BILLETED ON ME.
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after the Captain, to make sure of being near enough to enjoy the sport of seeing the Jesuit hung. When these witnessed the warmth of our salutations, they knew not what to make of it, and cried out that they were lost and ruined. "Those," said they, "whom we hailed as our liberators must themselves be Papists."

I had never attended the Parish Church in Taunton, which led many into the belief that I really was a Jesuit, and those who knew better studiously kept up the false impression, in order to injure me with the community at large. The officers went to the door to disperse the crowd, which was not an easy matter, under the disappointment they felt at not seeing the Jesuit punished. They told them that their Captain knew Mr. Fontaine to be a good Protestant, better than they were in all probability. They manifested a bitterness of feeling that made my friend decide upon leaving a few soldiers at my door, as a precautionary measure, in case of violence.

When several more regiments belonging to King William's army were quartered in Taunton, you may rest assured I was not forgotten in the billeting of them upon the inhabitants.

I went to complain to the Mayor and Sheriff because two soldiers had been billeted upon me, and it was not customary to quarter them on a minister. They heard me patiently, but I had scarcely reached home before two more soldiers presented themselves with a billet for me.

I complained a second time, and I was answered by an assurance, that I should receive full justice, and directly I got home, four more came upon me. I made no further complaint, lest I should draw upon myself sixteen instead of eight. I had to support them for three whole weeks, during