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 troops for an engagement as well as very experienced officers could do.