登陆注册
5561800000057

第57章 CHAPTER V(9)

Furthermore, they had made an estimate of what each city, town, and village ought to contribute in money or in kind to the--League of the Children of God, so that they could count on having eight or ten thousand men ready to rise at the first signal. They had furthermore resolved that there should be risings in several places at the same time, which places were already chosen, and each of those who were to take part in the movement knew his exact duty. At Montpellier a hundred of the most determined amongst the disaffected were to set fire in different quarters to the houses of the Catholics, killing all who attempted to extinguish the fires, and with the help of the Huguenot inhabitants were, to slaughter the garrison, seize the citadel, and carry off the Duke of Berwick and M. de Baville. The same things were to be done at Nimes, Uzes, Alais, Anduze, Saint-Hippolyte, and Sommieres. Lastly, he said, this conspiracy had been going on for more than three months, and the conspirators, in order not to be found out, had only revealed their plans to those whom they knew to be ready to join them: they had not admitted a single woman to their confidence, or any man whom it was possible to suspect. Further, they had only met at night and a few persons at a time, in certain country houses, to which admittance was gained by means of a countersign; the 25th of April was the day fixed for the general rising and the execution of these projects."

As may be seen, the danger was imminent, as there was only six days' interval between the revelation and the expected outburst; so the Genevois was consulted, under renewed promises of safety for himself, as to the best means of seizing on the principal chiefs in the shortest possible time. He replied that he saw no other way but to accompany them himself to Nimes, where Catinat and Ravanel were in hiding, in a house of which he did not know the number and in a street of which he did not know the name, but which he was sure of recognising when he saw them. If this advice were to be of any avail, there was no time to be lost, for Ravanel and Catinat were to leave Nimes on the 20th or the 21st at latest; consequently, if they did not set off at once, the chiefs would no longer be there when they arrived. The advice seemed good, so the marechal and the intendant hastened to follow it: the informer was sent to Nimes guarded by six archers, the conduct of the expedition was given to Barnier, the provost's lieutenant, a man of intellect and common sense, and in whom the provost had full confidence. He carried letters for the Marquis of Sandricourt.

As they arrived late on the evening of the 19th, the Genevois was at once led up and down the streets of Nimes, and, as he had promised, he pointed out several houses in the district of Sainte-Eugenie.

Sandricourt at once ordered the garrison officers, as well as those of the municipal and Courten regiments, to put all their soldiers under arms and to station them quietly throughout the town so as to surround that district. At ten o'clock, the Marquis of Sandricourt, having made certain that his instructions had been carefully carried out, gave orders to MM. de L'Estrade, Barnier, Joseph Martin, Eusebe, the major of the Swiss regiment, and several other officers, along with ten picked men, to repair to the house of one Alison, a silk merchant, this house having been specially pointed out by the prisoner. This they did, but seeing the door open, they had little hope of finding the chiefs of a conspiracy in a place so badly guarded; nevertheless, determined to obey their instructions, they glided softly into the hall. In a few moments, during which silence and darkness reigned, they heard people speaking rather loudly in an adjoining room, and by listening intently they caught the following words: "It is quite sure that in less than three weeks the king will be no longer master of Dauphine, Vivarais, and Languedoc. I am being sought for everywhere, and here I am in Nimes, with nothing to fear."

It was now quite clear to the listeners that close at hand were some at least of those for whom they were looking. They ran to the door, which was ajar, and entered the room, sword in hand. They found Ravanel, Jonquet, and Villas talking together, one sitting on a table, another standing on the hearth, and the third lolling on a bed.

Jonquet was a young man from Sainte-Chatte, highly thought of among the Camisards. He had been, it may be remembered, one of Cavalier's principal officers. Villas was the son of a doctor in Saint-

Hippolyte; he was still young, though he had seen ten years' service, having been cornet in England in the Galloway regiment. As to Ravanel, he is sufficiently known to our readers to make any words of introduction unnecessary.

De l'Estrade threw himself on the nearest of the three, and, without using his sword, struck him with his fist. Ravanel (for it was he) being half stunned, fell back a step and asked the reason of this violent assault; while Barnier exclaimed, "Hold him fast, M. de 1'Estrade; it is Ravanel!" "Well, yes, I am Ravanel," said the Camisard," but that is no reason for making so much noise." As he said these words he made an attempt to reach his weapons, but de 1'Estrade and Barnier prevented him by throwing themselves on him, and succeeded in knocking him down after a fierce struggle. While, this was going on, his two companions were secured, and the three were removed to the fort, where their guard never left them night or day.

The Marquis of Sandricourt immediately sent off a courier to the Duke of Berwick and M. de Baville to inform them of the important capture he had made. They were so delighted at the news that they came next day to Nimes.

同类推荐
  • 金匮要略心典

    金匮要略心典

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 中宗祀昊天乐章·豫

    中宗祀昊天乐章·豫

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 佛说弥勒菩萨发愿王偈

    佛说弥勒菩萨发愿王偈

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 菩萨藏修道众经抄

    菩萨藏修道众经抄

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 台湾县志

    台湾县志

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 候补董事

    候补董事

    这是一只在任何地方都可以买到的信封。信封上的字虽然不那么漂亮,但大体上还算是工工整整的正楷字,上面写的收信人是“关口升一先生”。关口升一……这是千佳子的丈夫。这样的信封已经从三个月前就寄来过。一般是一个月或半个月来一封。寄信人叫“玉井觉太郎”,住址是世田谷区松原五町目××号。当然,字体一看就是男人写的。关口升一担任一家城市银行大洋银行大森分行行长,已经有两年多的时间了。
  • 一宠长欢:邪皇纵妻无度

    一宠长欢:邪皇纵妻无度

    裴映雪没想到自己睡了一觉,醒来就已经到了六年后。六年时间里,穿越女占用她的身体胡作非为,等她重新回归,一切都已经发生了翻天覆地的变化:她从裴家长房幺女一跃成为母仪天下的皇后,却因作恶多端、心思歹毒而被皇帝厌弃。爹娘无视她、兄姐憎恶她,就连青梅竹马的表哥也已经另娶他人。然而还有更艰险的挑战摆在面前——她该如何破除重重困难,和皇帝再生一个儿子巩固后位?简言之,这是一个萌萌哒的软妹纸无奈成长为高冷御姐的辛(刷)酸(新)血(下)泪(限)史。
  • 耕农人家

    耕农人家

    【新书已开欢迎来看《重生后我成了大佬的小祖宗》】异能者沈清一朝穿越,成为宝宴村人人喊打喊骂的倒霉少年的童养媳。面对时时刻刻都想弄死她便宜老公的无情亲戚,她拍了拍他的肩膀:“不要害怕,从今儿起,你我罩了!”从此,带着异能虐渣斗极品、上山打猎、下河摸鱼、种田经商,带着全家人发财致富。韩云景以为这辈子都命犯孤星,注定孤家寡人,却不想小媳妇儿放肆地攻他的心,勾他的魂,缠他的人。甚至还说:“你是我的,任何人不许从我手里把你抢走!”他勾唇一笑,“笨蛋,我不会被‘任何人’抢走的,因为我的心早在咱们像相识第一年就给你了。”
  • 通天神巫

    通天神巫

    巫者,天生神力,感应天理;巫者,心怀大善,教化世人。且看一个莫名其妙被逐出家门的少年,如何披荆斩刺,如何面对残酷的现实,如何在魔女、妖女、圣女等万般诱惑下保持真我,如何踏上通天之路。
  • 易经养生全书

    易经养生全书

    解密了群经之首——《易经》中的传统养生智慧,使古老的《易经》焕发出了新的光彩。本书从内外调理、内病外治入手,讲述了《易经》中所蕴含的常见病调理、脏腑健康、节气养生、饮食养生等生活各方面养生的法则和技巧,告诉读者健康长寿的秘密,告诉女人养颜美容的诀窍,告诉读者求医就要找老中医的求医之道。
  • 王的无邪爱妃

    王的无邪爱妃

    这个女人胆子够大,居然偷东西偷到他的府邸来了.还有没有王法?见到他不怕也不惊,反而自在的与他攀谈.架子上那些古董哪个不比她手上抱着的夜壶强?她自称小偷,可到底会不会偷东西?!上次没下令抓她,她不乖乖的躲着,还光明正大的出现在她的选妃大典上?她难道不怕他,会用王法制裁她私闯民宅,给她定个罪吗?...王爷了不起?长的帅不能当饭吃。何必总是唠叨他是她的夫,她是他的妻...乖乖听话,她做不到!乖乖就范,更不可能!
  • 花式作死的位面商人

    花式作死的位面商人

    想要成为一个大商人的叶俊文突然得到了一个跨位面的交易系统,突然间好像无敌了?然而事情没这么简单。这个系统有这三条使用原则:一、只有对你产生强烈恨意的人才能杀死你,死亡后进行位面跳跃。二、同一个人无法杀死你第二次。三、无法杀死你的攻击会使你更加强大。碰上这么一个麻烦的系统,叶俊文表示压力很大。为了自己的目标,他只能开始自己的作死之旅了。
  • 人生三味茶:智者眼中的人生三境界

    人生三味茶:智者眼中的人生三境界

    王国维在《人间词话》中提炼出的三种人生境界犹如人生的三味茶,我们用清茶、花茶、普洱茶隐喻人生的三重境界,作为上、中、下三篇的标题,意在对人生过程有所概括,而每篇的第一节均采用蒋捷的《虞美人·听雨》:“少年听雨歌楼上,红烛昏罗帐。壮年听雨客舟中,江阔云低,断雁叫西风。而今听雨僧庐下,鬓已星星也。悲欢离合总无情,一任阶前点滴到天明。”意在描述人生从青春到壮年到晚年的自然过程。细心的读者将会发现本书每篇的最后一节则采用了王国维《人间词话》的概括,分别用“昨夜西风凋碧树,独上高楼,望尽天涯路”,“衣带渐宽终不悔,为伊消得人憔悴”,“众里寻他千百度,蓦然回首,那人却在灯火阑珊处”描绘了人生的三重境界。
  • 璀璨星途:秀儿,请开始表演

    璀璨星途:秀儿,请开始表演

    【女扮男装】“来者何人?”凤帝白皙的手挑起面前男人的下巴,“你的人。”男人邪魅一笑,天地都黯然失色。重生前,凤柒是万人膜拜的凤凰女帝!重生后,凤柒是懦弱胆小,万人可欺的可怜虫。甘愿屈居人下?No!凤柒一脚把帝都龙头踹下龙椅,“去跪键盘!”
  • 我家道长超甜

    我家道长超甜

    五年前的她,总爱捉弄白無,比如第一次见面她便是一句:“好嫩的小道士。”而后一发不可收拾……“小道士,我们这像不像私奔啊?”“小道士,你养我啊?”可五年后…有鬼惦记他,她拔剑一吼:“看什么看!没见过美男啊!长的好看关你们麻花事啊!”转头:“越大越好看,你到底怎么长的啊!”白無:……是谁说当初就是看中了他的脸。她表示,当初是白無先撩拨她的,不信你们可以看书,有证据的。白無:……一个垂涎美貌的女鬼,一个单纯可爱的小道士,我们不虐,我们超甜。