The Camisard outposts soon perceived the movement, and warned Ravanel, who held his little council of war.

Everyone was in favour of instant retreat, so they retired towards Ners, intending to cross the Gardon below that town: just as M.de Villars had foreseen, the Camisards did everything necessary for the success of his plans, and ended by walking right into the trap set for them.
On emerging from the wood of St.Benazet, they caught sight of a detachment of royals drawn up and waiting for them between Marvejols and a mill called the Moulin-du-Pont.

Seeing the road closed in this direction, they turned sharp to the left, and gained a rocky valley which ran parallel to the Gardon.

This they followed till they came out below Marvejols, where they crossed the river.

They now thought themselves out of danger, thanks to this manoeuvre, but suddenly they saw another detachment of royals lying on the grass near the mill of La Scie.