"And he is not willing that any one else should defeat Lantenac," added Robespierre. "The misfortune of the Vendean war is the existence of these rivalries. Our soldiers are heroes led by inferior commanders. Chérin, a mere captain of hussars, enters Saumur with trumpets, playing _Ça ira_; he takes Saumur; he might go on and take Cholet, but having received no orders, he pauses. Every position of command in the Vendée ought to be reconstructed; the garrisons are scattered, the forces dispersed; an army that is scattered is paralyzed; it is like a rock crumbling into dust. Nothing but tents are left at Camp de Paramé. Between Tréguier and Dinan there are a hundred useless little encampments out of which a division could be formed to cover the entire coast. Léchelle, supported by Parrein, robs the northern coast under the pretext of protecting the southern, and thus exposes France to the English. Half a million of peasants in revolt, and a descent of England upon France,--such is Lantenac's plan. The young commander of the exploring column presses his resistless sword against Lantenac's loins, until he forces him to yield, and this without asking leave of Léchelle. Now, Léchelle is his chief, therefore he denounces him. Opinions are divided regarding this young man. Léchelle would like to have him shot, and Prieur de la Marne wishes to make him Adjutant-General." "He seems to me to possess great qualities," observed Cimourdain. "But he has one defect!" This interruption came from Marat. "And what is that?" asked Cimourdain. "Clemency," replied Marat; and he went on: "He is firm in the assault, but after the victory he shows his weakness. He grants indulgences, he is too merciful and forgiving, he protects _religieuses_ and nuns, he saves the wives and daughters of the aristocrats, he releases prisoners, and lets the priests go free." "A grave fault," murmured Cimourdain. "A crime, you would do better to call it," said Marat. "Sometimes," said Danton. "Often," said Robespierre. "Almost always," insisted. Marat. "Yes, when one has to deal with the enemies of one's country it may always be called a crime," said Cimourdain. Marat turned towards the latter. "And what then would you do with a Republican chief who would set a Royalist leader at liberty?" he inquired. "I should agree with Léchelle; I would have him shot." "Or guillotined," said Marat. "He might take his choice," said Cimourdain. Danton began to laugh. "The one seems to me as good as the other." "You are quite sure to have one or the other," muttered Marat; and averting his eyes from Danton, he fixed them again on Cimourdain. "So, citizen Cimourdain, if you caught a Republican chief stumbling, you would have him beheaded?" "Within twenty-four hours."