As they approached the fourth village, they heard cries and screams.
"Lower your lances, my friends.

Forward!" And at a gallop, the little band dashed into the village.
It was full of people.

Several bodies of men and women lay in the road.

Pistol shots rang out here and there, showing that some of the Huguenots were making a stout defence of their homes.

Through and through the crowd the horsemen rode, those in front clearing their way with their lances, those behind thrusting and cutting with their swords.
The Catholics were, for the most part, roughly armed.