A group of men were gathered on its flank, evidently composed of General Hatry and his officers. Roland rode toward them, scarcely three gunshots distant from the Chouans. General Hatry’s astonishment was great when he saw an officer in the Republican uniform approaching him. He left the group and advanced three paces to meet the messenger. Roland made himself known, related how he came to be among the Whites, and transmitted Cadoudal’s proposal to General Hatry. As he has foreseen, the latter refused it. Roland returned to Cadoudal with a proud and joyful heart. “He refuses!” he cried, as soon as his voice could be heard. Cadoudal gave a nod that showed he was not surprised by the refusal. “Then, in that case,” he answered, “go back with my second proposition. I don’t wish to have anything to reproach myself with in answering to such a judge of honor as you.” Roland bowed. “What is the second proposition?” “General Hatry shall meet me in the space that separates the two troops, he shall carry the same arms as I--that is, his sabre and pistols--and the matter shall be decided between us. If I kill him, his men are to submit to the conditions already named, for we cannot take prisoners; if he kills me his men shall pass free and be allowed to reach Vannes safely. Come, I hope that’s a proposition you would accept, colonel?” “I would accept it myself,” replied Roland. “Yes,” exclaimed Cadoudal, “but you are not General Hatry. Content yourself with being a negotiator this time, and if this proposition, which, if I were he, I wouldn’t let escape me, does not please him, come to me. I’m a good fellow, and I’ll make him a third.” Roland rode off a second time; his coming was awaited by the Republicans with visible impatience. He transmitted the message to General Hatry. “Citizen,” replied the general, “I must render account of my conduct to the First Consul. You are his aide-de-camp, and I charge you on your return to Paris to bear testimony on my behalf to him. What would you do in my place? Whatever you would do, that I shall do.” Roland started; his face assumed the grave expression of a man who is arguing a point of honor in his own mind. Then, at the end of a few seconds, he said: “General, I should refuse.” “Your reasons, citizen?” demanded the general. “The chances of a duel are problematic; you cannot subject the fate of a hundred brave men to a doubtful chance. In an affair like this, where all are concerned, every man had better defend his own skin as best he can.” “Is that your opinion, colonel?” “On my honor.” “It is also mine; carry my reply to the royalist general.” Roland galloped back to Cadoudal, and delivered General Hatry’s reply. Cadoudal smiled. “I expected it,” he said. “You couldn’t have expected it, because it was I who advised him to make it.” “You thought differently a few moments ago.”