In the enemy's camp were found provisions, the fruits,
of pillage, and upon the bodies of the slain a little gold,,
and arms ; and all this was equally distributed. But
winter was approaching, the fodder that had been col-
lected was dispersed, the animals lost or consumed, the
stores of grain destroyed. The means of subsistence had
to be procured from the merchants, and the allies tO'
be fed. Scarcity prevailed in this valley, so prosperous
a month before. Its saviours were exacting, and began
to ask where was that wealth and plenty which had been
promised them.
Quartered in the Oppidum with the warriors of Sigild,.
the followers of Ditovix assumed a domineering air on
the strength of the service rendered to the inhabitants.
of the Val d'Avon, and whose importance they were'
incessantly magnifying. Quarrels arose continually, and
it needed all the influence which Sigild had acquired
among his people to moderate their angry feelings.
Ditovix abstained from interference in these disputes.
When assistance had been asked — he would say to Sigild,,

F



66 ANNALS OF A FORTRESS.
— his men had been promised wealth of all kinds ; how
could he remonstrate with them if they were left to die
of want ?

Ditovix had brought a thousand warriors to aid the
inhabitants of the Val d'Avon ; and, in spite of the losses
suffered during the action, a month after the dispersion
of the enemy's army the number of these auxiliaries
was found to have unaccountably increased.
