It is possible that some of you may leave your bodies beneath the walls of Saumur, be it so; will you complain because the Creator may require from some of you the life which he has given?
Is it not enough for you to know, that he who falls fighting with this blessed symbol before his eyes, shall that night rest among the angels of Heaven ?" and the Cure held up on high, above the people, a huge cross, which he had had brought to him out of the church.
"God has blessed you, my children, in giving you the sacred privilege of fighting in His cause.

You would indeed be weak--senseless as the brutes--unfeeling as the rocks--aye, impious as the republicans, had you not replied to the summons as you have done; but you have shown that you know your duty.

I see, my children, that you are true Vendeans.

I bless you now, and on tomorrow week, I will be among you before the walls of Saumur." Having finished speaking, the priest also jumped off the wall, and again the people shouted and cheered.

And now they went to work with the lists: Henri, the Mayor, and the Cure each took a pencil, and called the names of the different men, as they were written down.