Embrun resisted for twenty-four hours, but at the end of that time it fell, and Victor Amadeus took up his headquarters there, while Eugene marched on to Gab. He had been preceded by the Ravens, who, in imitation of their enemies, had driven the people from their houses, and had set fire to whole villages, cutting down all who offered resistance.
And, while they transformed the beautiful plains of Dauphine into a waste, and marked their path forward by smoking ruins, they shouted in the ears of the unhappy fugitives: "Revenge! Revenge for the woes of Germany!"
"Revenge for the woes of Germany!" cried the Ravens, as they leaped from their horses to storm the walls of Gab.
But no answer was made to their challenge, for not a soul was there to give back a defiant word. The gates stood open, the walls were unguarded, and, when the dragoons entered the town, they found not one living being whereon to wreak their vengeance. So hasty had been the flight of the inhabitants that they had left their worldly goods behind, and their houses looked as though the owners had but just absented themselves for an hour or so to attend church, or celebrate some public festival.
The Ravens took possession, and, when Prince Eugene arrived, he found the Austrian flag waving from the towers, and that of Savoy streaming above the gates.
"You have done your work quickly," observed he to Caspar.
"There was nothing to do. general," was the reply. "There is not a living soul of them within the walls. And now, your highness—a boon!"
"What is it?"
"General, recall to your mind Speier and Worms, and grant us leave to find our retaliation for their destruction in Gab."
"You say there is not a living soul in Gab? Are there, then, no women, no children, no superannuated or infirm?"