Page:The Rebellion in the Cevennes (Volume 1).djvu/268

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they should release the prisoners. The following night we assembled together, and Pervier, a young man, whose bride was languishing in the prisons, undertook the command. They advanced in front of the dwelling; the Abbé's servants fired from the windows and killed three of our friends. We now ceased to sing psalms, and stormed the castle with trees and firebrands. The gates gave way, we entered, and encountered the Abbé in his chamber. He suffered his dungeon to be opened, we then assured him that he should receive no injury. The prisoners came forth; weeping, joy, sobbing, and singing filled the house. Then they shewed their wounds, the marks of the torture, dimmed eyes and sunken cheeks. A shout for murder resounded around. But Pervier and I appeased the maddened people by word and deed. The Abbé heard the noise, was terrified at our movements, and to save himself, he sprang from a high window into the road, and lay dashed to pieces on