massacres of the south-第32章
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retired after the day of Calvisson。 Despite the resolution which
Cavalier had taken never to show his face again to the marechal； the
baron repeated to him so many times that M。 de Villars was thoroughly
convinced that what had happened had not been his fault； he having
done everything that he could to prevent it； that the young chief
began to feel his self…confidence and courage returning； and hearing
that the marachal had expressed himself as very much pleased with his
conduct； to which Vincel had borne high testimony； made up his mind
to return to Nimes。 They left Cardet at once； followed by the forty
men who had remained true to Cavalier； ten on horse and thirty on
foot； and arrived on the 3lst May at Saint…Genies； whither M。 de
Villars had come to meet them。
The assurances of d'Aygaliers were justified。 The marechal received
Cavalier as if he were still the chief of a powerful party and able
to negotiate with him on terms of equality。 At Cavalier's request；
in order to prove to him that he stood as high in his good opinion as
ever； the marechal returned once more to gentle methods； and
mitigated the severity of his first proclamation by a second；
granting an extension of the amnesty：
〃The principal chiefs of the rebels； with the greater number of their
followers； having surrendered； and having received the king's pardon；
we declare that we give to all those who have taken up arms until
next Thursday； the 5th instant inclusive； the opportunity of
receiving the like pardon； by surrendering to us at Anduze； or to M。
le Marquis de Lalande at Alais； or to M。 de Menon at Saint Hippolyte；
or to the commandants of Uzes； Nimes； and Lunel。 But the fifth day
passed； we shall lay a heavy hand on all rebels； pillaging and
burning all the places which have given them refuge； provisions； or
help of any kind； and that they may not plead ignorance of this
proclamation； we order it to be publicly read and posted up in every
suitable place。
〃MARECHAL DE VILLARS
〃At Saint…Genies； the 1st June 1704〃
The next day； in order to leave no doubt as to his good intentions；
the marechal had the gibbets and scaffolds taken down； which until
then had been permanent erections。
At the same time all the Huguenots were ordered to make a last effort
to induce the Camisard chiefs to accept the conditions offered them
by M。 de Villars。 The towns of Alais； Anduze； Saint…Jean； Sauve；
Saint…Hippolyte； and Lasalle； and the parishes of Cros； Saint…Roman；
Manoblet； Saint…Felix； Lacadiere； Cesas； Cambo； Colognac； and Vabre
were ordered to send deputies to Durfort to confer as to the best
means of bringing about that peace which everyone desired。 These
deputies wrote at once to M。 de Villars to beg him to send them M。
d'Aygaliers； and to M。 d'Aygaliers to request him to come。
Both consented to do as they were asked； and M。 d'Aygaliers arrived
at Durfort on the 3rd of June 1704。
The deputies having first thanked him for the trouble which he had
taken to serve the common cause during the past year； resolved to
divide their assembly into two parts； one of which； was to remain
permanently sitting； while the other went to seek Roland and Ravanel
to try and obtain a cessation of hostilities。 The deputies charged
with this task were ordered to make it quite clear to the two chiefs
that if they did not accept the proposals made by M。 de Villars； the
Protestants in general would take up arms and hunt them down； and
would cease to supply them with the means of subsistence。
On hearing this； Roland made reply that the deputies were to go back
at once to those who sent them； and threatened； should they ever show
him their faces again； to fire on them。
This answer put an end to the assembly； the deputies dispersed； and
d'Aygaliers returned to the Marechal de Villars to make his report。
Hardly had he done this when a letter from Roland arrived； in which
the Camisard chief asked M。 de Villars to grant him an interview；
such as he had granted to Cavalier。 This letter was addressed to
d'Aygaliers； who immediately communicated its contents to the
marechal； from whom he received orders to set out at once to find
Roland and to spare no pains to bring him round。
D'Aygaliers； who was always indefatigable when working for his
country； started the same day； and went to a mountain about
three…quarters of a league from Anduze； where Roland awaited him。
After a conference of two hours； it was agreed that hostages should
be exchanged and negotiations entered upon。
Consequently； M。 de Villars on his side sent Roland M。 de Montrevel；
an officer commanding a battalion of marines； and M。 de la
Maison…Blanche； captain of the Froulay regiment； while Roland in
return sent M。 de Villars four of his principal officers with the
title of plenipotentiaries。
Unskilled in diplomacy as these envoys were； and laughable as they
appeared to contemporary historians； they received nevertheless the
marechal's consent to the following conditions：
1。 That Cavalier and Roland should each be placed in charge of a
regiment serving abroad； and that each of them should be allowed a
minister。
2。 That all the prisoners should be released and the exiles
recalled。
3。 That the Protestants should be permitted to leave the kingdom；
taking their effects with them。
4。 That those Camisards who desired to remain might do so； on giving
up their arms。
5。 That those who were abroad might return。
6。 That no one should be molested on account of his religion
provided everyone remained quietly at home。
7。 That indemnities should be borne by the whole province； and not
exacted specially from the Protestants。
8。 That a general amnesty should be granted to all without reserve。
These articles were laid before Roland and Ravanel by d'Aygaliers。
Cavalier； who from the day he went back to Nimes had remained in the
governor's suite； asked leave to return with the baron； and was
permitted to do so。 D'Aygaliers and he set out together in
consequence for Anduze； and met Roland and Ravanel about a quarter of
a league from the town； waiting to know the result of the
negotiations。 They were accompanied by MM。 de Montbel and de
Maison…Blanche； the Catholic hostages。
As soon as Cavalier and Roland met they burst out into recriminations
and reproaches； but through the efforts of d'Aygaliers they soon
became more friendly； and even embraced on parting。
But Ravanel was made of harder stuff： as soon as he caught sight of
Cavalier he called him 〃traitor；〃 saying that for his part he would
never surrender till the Edict of Nantes was re…enacted； then； having
warned them that the governor's promises were not to be trusted； and
having predicted that a day would come when they would regret their
too great confidence in him； he left the conference and rejoined his
troops； which； with those of Roland； were drawn up on a mountain
about three…quarters of a league distant。
The negotiators did not； however； despair。 Ravanel had gone away；
but Roland had debated with them at some length； so they determined
to speak to 〃the brethren〃that is； to the troops under Roland and
Ravanel； whose headquarters at the moment were at Leuzies； in order
that they might know exactly what articles had been agreed on between
Roland's envoys and the marechal。 Those who made up their minds to
take this step were； Cavalier； Roland； Moise； Saint…Paul； Laforet；
Maille； and d'Aygaliers。 We take the following account of what
happened in consequence of this decision from d'Aygaliers' Memoirs：
〃We had no sooner determined on this plan； than； anxious to carry it
out； we set off。 We followed a narrow mountain path on the face of
the cliff which rose up to our right； to our left flowed the Gardon。
〃Having gone about a league； we came in sight of the troops； about
3000 strong； an advanced post barred our way。
〃Thinking it was placed there in our honour； I was advancing
unsuspiciously； when suddenly we found our road cut off by Camisards
to right and left； who threw themselves on Roland and forced him in
among their troops。 Maille and Malplach were dragged from their
horses。 As to Cavalier； who was so
