," said the Bishop, "I must think of that.
You are right. I may meet them.
They, too, need to be told of the good God."
"But, Monseigneur, there is a band of them!
A flock of wolves!"
"Monsieur le maire, it may be that it is of this very flock of wolves that Jesus has constituted me the shepherd.
Who knows the ways of Providence?"
"They will rob you, Monseigneur."
"I have nothing."
"They will kill you."
"An old goodman of a priest, who passes along mumbling his prayers? Bah!
To what purpose?"
"Oh, mon Dieu! what if you should meet them!"
"I should beg alms of them for my poor."
"Do not go, Monseigneur.
In the name of Heaven!
You are risking your life!"
"Monsieur le maire," said the Bishop, "is that really all? I am not in the world to guard my own life, but to guard souls."
They had to allow him to do as he pleased.
He set out, accompanied only by a child who offered to serve as a guide.
His obstinacy was bruited about the country-side, and caused great consternation.
He would take neither his sister nor Madame Magloire.
He traversed the mountain on mule-back, encountered no one, and arrived safe and sound at the residence of his "good friends," the shepherds. He remained there for a fortnight, preaching, administering the sacrament, teaching, exhorting.