swords and halberts through the crevices and killing those behind; as for
those who had firearms, they climbed on the shoulders of the others, and
having fired at those below, saved themselves by tumbling down again. At
the head of the besiegers were Laporte and Esprit Seguier, one of whom
had a father to avenge and the other a son, both of whom had been done to
death by the abbe. They were not the only ones of the party who were
fired by the desire of vengeance; twelve or fifteen others were in the
same position.

The abbe in his room listened to the noise of the struggle, and finding
matters growing serious, he gathered his household round him, and making
them kneel down, he told them to make their confession, that he might, by
giving them absolution, prepare them for appearing before God. The
sacred words had just been pronounced when the rioters drew near, having
carried the barricade, and driven the soldiers to take refuge in a hall
on the ground floor just under the Arch-priest's room.

But suddenly, the assault was stayed, some of the men going to surround
the house, others setting out on a search for the prisoners. These were
easily found, for judging by what they could hear that their brethren had
come to their rescue, they shouted as loudly as they could.

The unfortunate creatures had already passed a whole week with their legs
caught and pressed by the cleft beams which formed these inexpressibly
painful stocks. When the unfortunate victims were released, the fanatics
screamed with rage at the sight of their swollen bodies and half-broken
bones. None of the unhappy people were able to stand. The attack on the
soldiers was renewed, and these being driven out of the lower hall,
filled the staircase leading to the abbe's apartments, and offered such
determine. resistance that their assailants were twice forced to fall