"The wind prevented them from hearing the tocsin, and they mistrusted nothing; the population of the hamlet, a set of clowns, received them well. This morning we invested the farm while the Blues were sleeping, and the thing was over in a trice. I have a horse here; will you deign to accept it, general?" "Yes." A peasant led up a white horse with military housings. The Marquis mounted him without accepting Gavard's proffered assistance. "Hurrah!" cried the peasants. The English fashion of cheering is much in vogue on the Breton coast, for the people have continual dealings with the Channel islands. Gavard made the military salute, asking, as he did so, "Where will you establish your headquarters, my lord?" "At first, in the forest of Fougères." "It is one of the seven forests belonging to you." "We need a priest." "We have one." "Who is it?" "The curate of the Chapelle-Erbrée." "I know him. He has made the trip to Jersey." A priest stepped out from the ranks and said,-- "Three times." The Marquis turned his head. "Good morning, Monsieur le Curé. There is work in store for you." "So much the better, Monsieur le Marquis." "You will have to hear the confessions of such as desire your services. No one will be forced." "Marquis," said the priest, "at Guéménée, Gaston compels the republicans to confess." "He is a hairdresser. The dying should be allowed free choice in such a matter." Gavard, who had gone away to give certain orders, now returned. "I await your commands, general." "In the first place, the rendez-vous is in the forest of Fougères. Direct the men to separate and meet there." "The order has been given." "Did you not say that the people of Herbe-en-Pail were friendly to the Blues?" "Yes, general." "Was the farm burned?" "Yes." "Did you burn the hamlet?" "No." "Burn it." "The Blues tried to defend themselves. But they numbered one hundred and fifty, while we were seven thousand." "What Blues are they?" "Those of Santerre." "He who ordered the drums to beat while they were beheading the king? Then it is a Parisian battalion?" "A demi-battalion." "What was it called?" "Their banner has on it, 'Battalion of the Bonnet-Rouge.'" "Wild beasts." "What is to be done with the wounded?" "Put an end to them." "What are we to do with the prisoners?" "Shoot them." "There are about eighty of them." "Shoot them all." "There are two women." "Treat them all alike." "And three children." "Bring them along. We will decide what Is to be done with them." And the Marquis spurred his horse forward. VII. NO MERCY![2]NO QUARTER![3]