distance. The Calvinists happening to have no leader, Cavalier with
governing faculty which some men possess by nature, placed himself at
their head and took those measures for the reception of the royal forces
of which we have seen the result, so that after the victory to which his
head and arm had contributed so much he was confirmed in the title which
he had arrogated to himself, by acclamation.

Such was the famous Jean Cavalier when the Royalists first learned of his
existence, through the repulse of their bravest troops and the death of
their most intrepid captain.

The news of this victory soon spread through the Cevennes, and fresh
conflagrations lit up the mountains in sign of joy. The beacons were
formed of the chateau de la Bastide, the residence of the Marquis de
Chambonnas, the church of Samson, and the village of Grouppieres, where
of eighty houses only seven were left standing.

Thereupon M. de Julien wrote to the king, explaining the serious turn
things had taken, and telling him that it was no longer a few fanatics
wandering through the mountains and flying at the sight of a dragoon whom
they had to put down, but organised companies well led and officered,
which if united would form an army twelve to fifteen hundred strong. The
king replied by sending M. le Comte de Montrevel to Nimes. He was the
son of the Marechal de Montrevel, chevalier of the Order of the Holy
Spirit, major-general, lieutenant of the king in Bresse and Charolais,
and captain of a hundred men-at-arms.

In their struggle against shepherds, keepers, and peasants, M. de Brogue,
M. de Julien, and M. de Baville were thus joined together with the head
of the house of Beaune, which had already at this epoch produced two