But during that terrible winter the poor people of Bergerac were in great distress, and Jasmin was summoned to their help.

The place was at too great a distance from Agen for him to walk thither, and accordingly he was obliged to take a conveyance.

He was as usual met by a multitude of people, who escorted him into the town.
The magistrates could not find a place sufficiently large to give accommodation to the large number of persons who desired to hear him.
At length they found a large building which had been used as a barn; and there they raised a platform for the poet.

The place was at once filled, and those who could not get admission crowded about the entrance.

Some of the people raised ladders against the walls of the building, and clambered in at the windows.