intercede with God to protect the
Huguenot cause. On Saturday, the 13th September, he led his entire force
to the wood of St. Benazet, intending to pass the whole of the next day
with them there in prayer. But treason was rife. Two peasants who knew
of this plan gave information to M. Lenoir, mayor of Le Vigan, and he
sent word to the marechal and M. de Saville, who were at Anduze.

Nothing could have been more welcome to the governor than this important
information: he made the most careful disposition of his forces, hoping
to destroy the rebellion at one blow. He ordered M. de Courten, a
brigadier-colonel in command at Alais, to take a detachment of the troops
under him and patrol the banks of the Gardon between Ners and Castagnols.
He was of opinion that if the Camisards were attacked on the other side
by a body of soldiers drawn from Anduze, which he had stationed during
the night at Dommersargues, they would try to make good their retreat
towards the river. The force at Dommersargues might almost be called a
small army; for it was composed of a Swiss battalion, a battalion of the
Hainault regiment, one from the Charolais regiment, and four companies of
dragoons from Fimarcon and Saint-Sernin.

Everything took place as the peasants had said: on Saturday the 13th, the
Camisards entered, as we have seen, the wood of St. Benazet, and passed
the night there.

At break of day the royals from Dommersargues began their advance. The
Camisard outposts soon perceived the movement, and warned Ravanel, who
held his little council of war. Everyone was in favour of instant
retreat, so they retired towards Ners, intending to cross the Gardon
below that town: just as M. de Villars had foreseen, the Camisards did
everything necessary for the success of his plans, and ended by walking
right into the trap set for them.

On emerging from the wood of St. Benazet, they caught sight of a
detachment of royals drawn up and waiting for them between Marvejols and
a mill called the Moulin-du-Pont. Seeing the road closed in this
direction, they turned sharp to the left, and gained a rocky valley which
ran parallel to the Gardon. This they followed till they came out below
Marvejols, where they crossed the river. They now thought themselves out
of danger, thanks to this manoeuvre, but suddenly they saw another
detachment of royals lying on the grass near the mill of La Scie. They
at once halted again, and then, believing themselves un