Page 897 of 1118

But his anxiety was much increased by the appearance of a number

of armed men at the entrance of the valley. It is impossible to

describe his vexation and alarm. "Oh, poor me!" thought he; "I

might have expected this from a man of his character. What does

he mean to do? Will he declare war? Will he act the part of a

sovereign? Oh, poor me! poor me! In this terrible conjuncture he

ought to have concealed himself as much as possible; and, behold,

he seeks every method to make himself known. It is easy to be

seen he wants to provoke them."

"Do you not see, sir," said Perpetua, "that these are brave men

who are able to defend us? Let the soldiers come; these men are

not at all like our poor devils of peasants, who are good for

nothing but to use their legs."