Beyond the village of Tridon they turned across country; leaving Vannes to the left, they reached Tréfléon. At Tréfléon, Cadoudal, still followed by his major-general, Branche-d’Or, had found Monte-à-l’assaut and Chante-en-hiver. He gave them further orders, and continued on his way, bearing to the left and skirting the edges of a little wood which lies between Grandchamp and Larré. There Cadoudal halted, imitated, three separate times in succession, the cry of an owl, and was presently surrounded by his three hundred men. A grayish light was spreading through the sky beyond Tréfléon and Saint-Nolf; it was not the rising of the sun, but the first rays of dawn. A heavy mist rose from the earth and prevented the eye from seeing more than fifty feet beyond it. Cadoudal seemed to be expecting news before risking himself further. Suddenly, about five hundred paces distant, the crowing of a cock was heard. Cadoudal pricked up his ears; his men looked at each other and laughed. The cock crowed again, but nearer. “It is he,” said Cadoudal; “answer him.” The howling of a dog came from within three feet of Roland, but so perfectly imitated that the young man, although aware of what it was, looked about him for the animal that was uttering such lugubrious plaints. Almost at the same moment he saw a man coming rapidly through the mist, his form growing more and more distinct as he approached. The new-comer saw the two horsemen, and went toward them. Cadoudal rode forward a few paces, putting his finger to his lips, as if to request the man to speak low. The latter, therefore, did not pause until he was close beside his general. “Well, Fleur-d’épine,” asked Georges, “have we got them?” “Like a mouse in a trap; not one can re-enter Vannes, if you say the word.” “I desire nothing better. How many are there?” “One hundred men, commanded by the general himself.” “How many wagons?” “Seventeen.” “When did they start?” “They must be about a mile and three-quarters from here.” “What road have they taken?” “Grandchamp to Vannes.” “So that, if I deploy from Meucon to Plescop--” “You’ll bar the way.” “That’s all.” Cadoudal called his four lieutenants, Chante-en-hiver, Monte-à-l’assaut, Fend-l’air, and La Giberne, to him, gave each of them fifty men, and each with his men disappeared like shadows in the heavy mist, giving the well-known hoot, as they vanished. Cadoudal was left with a hundred men, Branche-d’Or and Fleur-d’épine. He returned to Roland. “Well, general,” said the latter, “is everything satisfactory?” “Yes, colonel, fairly so,” replied the Chouan; “but you can judge for yourself in half an hour.” “It will be difficult to judge of anything in that mist.” Cadoudal looked about him. “It will lift in half an hour,” said he. “Will you utilize the time by eating a mouthful and drinking a glass?” “Faith!” said the young man, “I must admit that the ride has hollowed me.”