They derived fresh courage, too, from the welcome accorded to them by the few localities that lay along their route on the slopes of the Garrigues.  The inhabitants rose en masse immediately the little army drew near; women ran to meet them, wishing them a speedy victory, while men, half clad, seized the first weapons they could find and rushed to join their ranks.  There was a fresh ovation at every village, shouts of welcome and farewell many times reiterated.

Towards daybreak the moon disappeared behind the Garrigues and the insurgents continued their rapid march amidst the dense darkness of a winter night.  They were now unable to distinguish the valley or the hills; they heard only the hoarse plaints of the bells, sounding through the deep obscurity like invisible drums, hidden they knew not where, but ever goading them on with despairing calls.

Miette and Silvere went on, all eagerness like the others.  Towards daybreak, the girl suffered greatly from fatigue; she could only walk with short hurried steps, and was unable to keep up with the long strides of the men who surrounded her.  Nevertheless she courageously strove to suppress all complaints; it would have cost her too much to confess that she was not as strong as a boy.  During the first few leagues of the march Silvere gave her his arm; then, seeing that the standard was gradually slipping from her benumbed hands, he tried to take it in order to relieve her; but she grew angry, and would only allow him to hold it with one hand while she continued to carry it on her shoulder.  She thus maintained her heroic demeanour with childish stubbornness, smiling at the young man each time he gave her a glance of loving anxiety.  At last, when the moon hid itself, she gave way in the sheltering darkness.  Silvere felt her leaning more heavily on his arm.  He now had to carry the flag, and hold her round the waist to prevent her from stumbling.  Nevertheless she still made no complaint.

“Are you very tired, poor Miette?” Silvere asked her.

“Yea, a little tired,” she replied in a weary tone.

“Would you like to rest a bit?”

She made no reply; but he realised that she was staggering.  He thereupon handed the flag to one of the other insurgents and quitted the ranks, almost carrying the girl in his arms.  She struggled a little, she felt so distressed at appearing such a child.  But he calmed her, telling her that he knew of a cross-road which shortened the distance by one half.  They would be able to take a good hour’s rest and reach Orcheres at the same time as the others.