46 



THE FEENCH BLOOD IN AMERICA 



Brutality and 

 Massacre 



Cruelties 



Treachery 

 and Murder 



Several months passed before the execution of the 

 order, and the Vaudois came to believe that the storm 

 had passed safely over their heads. But on the 16th of 

 April an army was hastily gathered together and the 

 carnage began. The villages of Cabrierett, Peypin, 

 La Motte and Saint-Martin were the first to be burned. 

 At the approach of the troops some of the inhabitants 

 fled to Merindol, while others sought escape in the 

 neighbouring woods. The women, children and old men 

 were hidden away in a forest retreat in the hope that if 

 discovered their evident weakness would prove their best 

 means of safety. But this hope was futile. The hiding- 

 place was discovered and a massacre ensued. Gray- 

 haired men were put to death by the sword and the 

 women were subjected to the brutal lust of the soldiery, 

 or if with child their breasts were mutilated and they 

 were left to die with their unborn offspring. 



Two days later the army arrived at Merindol, but the 

 villagers had received warning of its approach and had 

 taken to flight. A young man was the only person found 

 within the limits of the town and upon him was vented 

 the rage of his captors. As he was dying he cried out, 

 " Lord God, these men are snatching from me a life full of 

 wretchedness and misery, but Thou wilt give me eternal 

 life through Jesus Thy Son. ' ' The soldiers then took up 

 the work of destroying the town. Two hundred houses 

 were burned and levelled to the ground, and the dwelling 

 place of thrift and simple happiness was turned into a 

 scene of utter desolation. Many of the fleeing Vaudois 

 were overtaken and put to death or sent in chains to the 

 galleys to serve with thieves and murderers. A party of 

 some twenty-five of the fugitives was found hiding in a 

 cavern, and with laughter and brutal jests a fire was 

 kindled at the mouth of the cave to stifle the helpless 

 victims like rats in a hole. 



A large number of the Vaudois had taken refuge in the 

 town of Cabrieres, resolved to defend their wives and 



