Page:The Rebellion in the Cevennes (Volume 1).djvu/175

Rh retreat. Difficult enough it was to retire from the mountains, the greater part of our men remain lying there; arriving on the plain, there we beheld the military also beaten and taking flight."

"Defeated! screamed the Marshal.

"They are most likely following us," replied the priest.

"The volunteers," said the Intendant, "have apparently not been properly supported, as it has often happened already, and how shall the citizen bear up if the soldier takes flight?"

The Marshal, his face crimsoned, would have retorted angrily, when some officers, covered in dust and bewildered, entered hastily. "The rebels, Lord Marshal," said a young captain, "are seen before the gates of Nismes; Cavalier has played us a fine trick this time; our informers enticed us among the vineyards, the volunteers did not unite with us as had heen agreed upon and we are entirely routed. Cavalier knows how to dispose of his men like an old soldier."