rom those
who surrounded him, and as the street by which the Camisards had retired
was blocked, he dashed down another. The two prophets suspecting his
intention, hurried after the troops by the most direct route, and got up
with them, just as Cavalier, who had made the circuit of the town, came
galloping across the plain to intercept their passage. The troops
halted, and Ravanel gave orders to fire. The first rank raised their
muskets and took aim, thus indicating that they were ready to obey. But
it was not a danger of this kind that could frighten Cavalier; he
continued to advance. Then Moses seeing his peril, threw himself between
the Camisards and him, stretching out his arms and shouting, "Stop! stop!
misguided men! Are you going to kill Brother Cavalier like a highwayman
and thief? You must pardon him, my brethren! you must pardon him! If he
has done wrong in the past, he will do better in future."

Then those who had taken aim at Cavalier grounded their muskets, and
Cavalier changing menace for entreaty, begged them not to break the
promise that he had made in their name; whereupon the prophets struck up
a psalm, and the rest of the soldiers joining in, his voice was
completely drowned. Nevertheless, Cavalier did not lose heart, but
accompanied them on their march to Saint-Esteve, about a league farther
on, unable to relinquish all hope. On reaching Saint-Esteve the singing
ceased for a moment, and he made another attempt to recall them to
obedience. Seeing, however, that it was all in vain, he gave up hope,
and calling out, "At least defend yourselves as well as you can, for the
dragoons will soon be on you," he set his horse's head towards the town.
Then turning to them for the last time, he said, "Brethren, let those who
love me follow me!" He pronounced these words in tones so full of grief
and affection that many were shaken in their resolution; but Ravanel and
Moses seeing the effect he had produced, began to shout, "The sword of
the Lord!" Immediately all the troops turned their back on Cavalier
except about forty men who had joined him on his first appearance.

Cavalier went into a house near by, and wrote another letter to M. de
Villars, in which he told him what had just taken place, the efforts he
had made to win back his troops, and the conditions they demanded. He
ended by assuring him that he would make still further efforts, and
promised the marechal that he would keep him informed of eve