natics entrenched there; but, contrary to his expectations, it was
vacant. He then pushed on to Vauvert, from Vauvert to Beauvoisin, from
Beauvoisin to Generac, where he learned that a troop of rebels had passed
the night there, and in the morning had left for Aubore. Resolved to
give them no rest, M, de Broglie set out at once for this village.

When half-way there, a member of his staff thought he could distinguish a
crowd of men near a house about half a league distant; M. de Broglie
instantly ordered Sieur de Gibertin, Captain Paul's lieutenant, who was
riding close by, at the head of his company, to take eight dragoons and
make a reconnaissance, in order to ascertain who these men were, while
the rest of the troops would make a halt.

This little band, led by its officer, crossed a clearing in the wood, and
advanced towards the farmhouse, which was called the Mas de Gafarel, and
which now seemed deserted. But when they were within half a gun-shot of
the wall the charge was sounded behind it, and a band of rebels rushed
towards them, while from a neighbouring house a second troop emerged, and
looking round, he perceived a third lying on their faces in a small wood.
These latter suddenly stood up and approached him, singing psalms. As it
was impossible for M. de Gibertin to hold his ground against so large a
force, he ordered two shots to be fired as a warning to de Brogue to
advance to meet him, and fell back on his comrades. Indeed, the rebels
had only pursued him till they had reached a favourable position, on
which they took their stand.

M. de Brogue having surveyed the whole position with the aid of a
telescope, held a council of war, and it was decided that an attack
should be made forthwith. They therefore advanced on the rebels in line:
Captain Poul on the right, M. de Dourville on the left, and Count Broglie
in the centre.

As they got near they could see that the rebels had chosen their ground
with an amount of strategical sagacity they had never till then
displayed. This skill in making their dispositions was evidently due to
their having found a new leader whom no one knew, not even Captain Poul,
although they could see him at the head of his men, carbine in hand.

However, these scientific preparations did not stop M. de Brogue: he gave
the order to charge, and adding example to precept, urged his horse to a
gallop. The rebels in the first rank knelt on one knee, so that the rank
behind coul