we might arrange
matters by reason of their being weary of the miseries of war. The
second, stark mad on the subject of religion, absolutely intractable on
that point; the first little boy or little girl that falls a-trembling
and declares that the Holy Spirit is speaking to it, all the people
believe it, and, if God with all his angels were to come and speak to
them, they would not believe them more; people, moreover, on whom the
penalty of death makes not the least impression; in battle they thank
those who inflict it upon them; they walk to execution singing the
praises of God and exhorting those present, insomuch that it has often
been necessary to surround the criminals with drums to prevent the
pernicious effect of their speeches. Finally, the third: people without
religion, accustomed to pillage, to murder, to quarter themselves upon
the peasants; a rascalry furious, fanatical, and swarming with
prophetesses."

Villars had arrived in Languedoc the day after the checks encountered by
the Camisards. The despondency and suffering were extreme; and the
marshal had Cavalier sounded.

"What do you want to lay down your arms?" said the envoy. "Three
things," replied the Cevenol chief: "liberty of conscience, the release
of our brethren detained in the prisons and the galleys, and if these
demands are refused, permission to quit France with ten thousand
persons." The negotiators were intrusted with the most flattering offers
for Cavalier. Sensible, and yet vain, moved by his country's woes, and
flattered by the idea of commanding a king's regiment, the young Camisard
allowed himself to be won. He repaired formally to Nimes for an
interview with the marshal. "He is a peasant of the lowest grade," wrote
Villars to Chamillard, "who is not twenty-two, and does not look
eighteen; short, and with no imposing air, qualities essential for the
lower orders, but surprising good sense and firmness. I asked him
yesterday how he managed to keep his fellows under. 'Is it possible,'
said I, 'that, at your age, and not being long used to command, you found
no difficulty in often ordering to death your own men?' 'No, sir,' said
he, 'when it seemed to me just.' 'But whom did you employ to inflict
it?' 'The first whom I ordered, and nobody ever hesitated to follow my
orders.' I fancy, sir, that you will consider this rather surprising.
Furthermore, he shows great method in the matter of his supplies, and he
disposes his tr