had not employed the little wood on his left and the lie of the
ground on his right as cover for soldiers in ambush; but M. de La
Jonquiere returned that the only thing of importance was to know the
position of the principal body of troops in order to attack it at once.
Sainte-Chatte told him that the principal body was that which was before
his eyes, and that on this subject there could be no mistake; for he had
approached near enough to recognise Cavalier himself in the front rank.

This was enough for M. de La Jonquiere: he put himself at the head of his
men and rode straight to the ravine, beyond which Cavalier and his
comrades awaited him in order of battle. Having got within a
pistol-shot, M. de La Jonquiere gave the order to fire, but he was so
near that Cavalier heard the words and saw the motion made by the men as
they made ready; he therefore gave a rapid sign to his men, who threw
themselves on their faces, as did their leader, and the bullets passed
over them without doing any harm M.M. de La Jonquiere, who believed them
all dead, was astonished when Cavalier and his Camisards rose up and
rushed upon the royal troops, advancing to the sound of a psalm. At a
distance of ten paces they fired, and then charged the enemy at the point
of the bayonet. At this moment the sixty men in ambush to the right
opened fire, while the thirty horsemen to the left, uttering loud shouts,
charged at a gallop. Hearing this noise, and seeing death approach them
in three different directions, the royals believed themselves surrounded,
and did not attempt to make a stand; the men, throwing away their
weapons, took to their heels, the officers alone and a few dragoons whom
they had succeeded in rallying making a desperate resistance.

Cavalier was riding over the field of battle, sabring all the fugitives
whom he met, when he caught sight of a group, composed of ten naval
officers; standing close together and back to back, spontoon in hand,
facing the Camisards, who surrounded them. He spurred up to them,
passing through the ranks of his soldiers, and not pausing till he was
within fifteen paces of them, although they raised their weapons to fire.
Then making a sign with his hand that he wished to speak to them, he
said, "Gentlemen, surrender. I shall give quarter, and in return for the
ten lives I now spare you, will ask that my father, who is in prison at
Nimes, be released."

For sole answer, one of the officers fired and