按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
rendezvous； and each taking a different direction； bounded away with
the lightness of a stag。 Francezet ran in the direction of Milhaud
with such rapidity that he gained on the dragoons； although they put
their horses at full speed。 He was within an inch of safety； when a
peasant named La Bastide； who was hoeing in a field； whence he had
watched the contest with interest from the moment he had first caught
sight of it； seeing the fugitive make for an opening in a wall； ran
along at the foot of the wall on the other side； and； just as
Francezet dashed through the opening like a flash of lightning；
struck him such a heavy blow on the head with his hoe that the skull
was laid open； and he fell bathed in blood。
The dragoons； who had seen in the distance what had happened； now
came up； and rescued Francezet from the hands of his assailant； who
had continued to rain blows upon him； desiring to put an end to him。
The unconscious Camisard was carried to Milhaud； where his wounds
were bandaged； and himself revived by means of strong spirits forced
into mouth and nostrils。
We now return to Brun。 At first it seemed as if he were more
fortunate than his comrade； for； meeting with no obstacle； he was
soon not only out of reach； but out of sight of his enemies。 He now；
however； felt broken by fatigue； and taught caution by the treachery
to which he had almost fallen a victim； he dared not ask for an
asylum； so； throwing himself down in a ditch； he was soon fast
asleep。 The dragoons； who had not given up the search； presently
came upon him； and falling on him as he lay； overpowered him before
he was well awake。
When both Camisards met before the governor； Francezet replied to all
interrogations that since the death of brother Catinat his sole
desire had been to die a martyr's death like him； while Brun said
that he was proud and happy to die in the cause of the Lord along
with such a brave comrade as Francezet。 This manner of defence led
to the application of the question both ordinary and extraordinary；
and to the stake； and our readers already know what such a double
sentence meant。 Francezet and Brun paid both penalties on the 30th
of April； betraying no secrets and uttering no complaints。
Boeton； who had been denounced by Villas when under torture （and who
thereby abridged his agony） as the person in whose house the plot to
carry off the Duke of Berwick and de Baville had been arranged； still
remained to be dealt with。
He was moderate in his religious views； but firm and full of faith；
his principles resembled those of the Quakers in that he refused to
carry arms； he was； however； willing to aid the good cause by all
other means within his reach。 He was at home waiting； with that calm
which perfect trust in God gives； for the day to come which had been
appointed for the execution of the plan； when suddenly his house was
surrounded during the night by the royals。 Faithful to his
principles； he offered no resistance； but held out his hands to be
bound。 He was taken in triumph to Nimes； and from there to the
citadel of Montpellier。 On the way he encountered his wife and his
son； who were going to the latter town to intercede for him。 When
they met him； they dismounted from their horse； for the mother was
riding on a pillion behind the son； and kneeling on the highroad；
asked for Boeton's blessing。 Unfeeling though the soldiers were；
they yet permitted their prisoner to stop an instant； while he；
raising his fettered hands to heaven； gave the double blessing asked
for。 So touched was Baron Saint…Chatte by the scene （be it remarked
in passing that the baron and Boeton were cousins by marriage） that
he permitted them to embrace one another； so for a few moments they
stood； the husband and father clasped to the hearts of his dear ones；
then； on a sign from Boeton； they tore themselves away； Boeton
commanding them to pray for M。 de Saint…Chatte； who had given them
this consolation。 As he resumed his march the prisoner set them the
example by beginning to sing a psalm for the benefit of M。 de
Saint…Chatte。
The next day； despite the intercession of his wife and son； Boeton
was condemned to torture both ordinary and extraordinary； and then to
be broken on the wheel。 On hearing this cruel sentence； he said that
he was ready to suffer every ill that God might send him in order to
prove the steadfastness of his faith。
And indeed he endured his torture with such firmness； that M。 de
Baville； who was present in the hope of obtaining a confession；
became more impatient than the sufferer； and； forgetting his sacred
office； the judge struck and insulted the prisoner。 Upon this Baeton
raised his eyes to heaven and cried； 〃Lord； Lord！ how long shall the
wicked triumph？ How long shall innocent blood be shed？ How long
wilt Thou not judge and avenge our blood with cries to Thee？
Remember Thy jealousy； O Lord； and Thy loving…kindness of old！〃 Then
M。 de Baville withdrew； giving orders that he was to be brought to
the scaffold。
The scaffold was erected on the Esplanade： being； as was usual when
this sort of death was to be inflicted； a wooden platform five or six
feet high； on which was fastened flat a St。 Andrew's cross； formed of
two beams of wood in the form of an X。 In each of the four arms two
square pieces were cut out to about half the depth of the beam； and
about a foot apart； so that when the victim was bound on the cross
the outstretched limbs were easy to break by a blow at these points；
having no support beneath。 Lastly； near the cross； at one corner of
the scaffold an upright wooden post was fixed； on which was fastened
horizontally a small carriage wheel； as on a pivot； the projecting
part of the nave being sawn off to make it flat。 On this bed of pain
the sufferer was laid； so that the spectators might enjoy the sight
of his dying convulsions when； the executioner having accomplished
his part； the turn of death arrived。
Boeton was carried to execution in a cart； and drums were beaten that
his exhortations might not be heard。 But above the roll of drums his
voice rose unfalteringly； as he admonished his brethren to uphold
their fellowship in Christ。
Half…way to the Esplanade a friend of the condemned man； who happened
to be in the street； met the procession； and fearing that he could
not support the sight； he took refuge in a shop。 When Boeton was
opposite the door； he stopped the cart and asked permission of the
provost to speak to his friend。 The request being granted； he called
him out； and as he approached； bathed in tears； Boeton said； 〃Why do
you run away from me？ Is it because you see me covered with the
tokens of Jesus Christ？ Why do you weep because He has graciously
called me to Himself； and all unworthy though I be； permits me to
seal my faith with my blood？〃 Then； as the friend threw himself into
Boeton's arms and some signs of sympathetic emotion appeared among
the crowd； the procession was abruptly ordered to move on； but though
the leave…taking was thus roughly broken short； no murmur passed the
lips of Boeton。
In turning out of the first street； the scaffold came in sight； the
condemned man raised his hands towards heaven； and exclaimed in a
cheerful voice； while a smile lit up his face； 〃Courage； my soul！ I
see thy place of triumph； whence； released from earthly bonds； thou
shah take flight to heaven。〃
When he got to the foot of the scaffold； it was found he could not
mount without assistance； for his limbs； crushed in the terrible
〃boot；〃 could no longer sustain his weight。 While they were
preparing to carry him up； he exhorted and comforted the Protestants；
who were all weeping round him。 When he reached the platform he laid
himself of his own accord on the cross； but hearing from the
executioner that he must first be undressed； he raised himself again
with a smile； so that the executioner's assistant could remove his
doublet and small…clothes。 As he wore no stockings； his legs being
bandaged the man also unwound these bandages； and rolled up Boeton's
shirts…sleeves to the elbow； and then ordered him to lay himself
again on the cross。 Boeton did so with unb