"To be sure; well, Gauvain is in command of the exploring division of the coast. Now, Lantenac's plan was to stir up a general insurrection, to bring Lower Normandy to the aid of Lower Brittany, to throw open the door to Pitt, and to lend a helping hand to the great Vendean army in the shape of twenty thousand English and two hundred thousand peasants. Gauvain has checkmated this plan. He holds the coast and drives Lantenac back into the interior and the English into the sea. Lantenac was here, but Gauvain dislodged him, recaptured Pont-au-Beau, drove him out from Avranches and Villedieu, and prevented him from reaching Granville. He is manoeuvring now to force him to retreat into the forest of Fougères, and there to surround him. Yesterday everything was favorable, and Gauvain was here with his division. All at once, mind you, the old man, who is a shrewd one, made a point; the news came that he had marched on Dol. If he should take it, and succeeds in establishing a battery on Mont-Dol,--for he has artillery,--that will give the English a chance to land, and then all is lost. That is the reason why Gauvain, who has a head on his shoulders, knowing there was not a moment to be lost, consulted no one; nor did he wait for orders, but giving the signal to saddle, and harnessing his artillery, he collected his troops, drew his sabre, and while Lantenac is hurrying towards Dol, Gauvain is all ready to pounce upon Lantenac; and Dol is to be the place where these two Breton heads will clash, and a famous crash it will be. They are at it now." "How long does it take to reach Dol?" "For troops with artillery carriages, at least three hours; but they are there now." The traveller, as he listened, said,-- "You are right; I think I can hear the cannon." The host, too, was listening. "Yes, citizen, and the firing is steady. You had better spend the night here. There is nothing to be gained by going over there." "I cannot stop. I must continue my journey." "You are wrong. I do not know anything about your business, but the risk is great, and unless all that you hold dearest in the world is at stake--" "That is precisely the state of things," replied the rider. "Now, supposing your son--" "You are very near the truth," said the rider. The innkeeper raised his head as he said to himself,-- "And yet I thought this citizen was a priest." Then, after a moment's reflection, he added: "But a priest may have children, after all." "Put the bridle back on my horse," said the traveller. "How much do I owe you?" After receiving his pay, the host put the trough and bucket against the wall, and came back to the traveller.