He heard a light step behind him, and turned. It was his lieutenant. "Well, Monsieur de Vibrac, what news?" said Canolles. "They say, commandant, that the princes' flag will float over Île Saint-Georges to-morrow." "Who says that?" "Two of our scouts who have just come in, and have seen the preparations the citizens are making." "What answer did you make when they said that?" "I answered, commandant, that it was all the same to me so long as I wasn't alive to see it." "Ah! you stole my answer, monsieur." "Bravo, commandant! we asked nothing better; and the men will fight like lions when they know that that is your answer." "Let them fight like men, that's all I ask. What do they say as to the manner of the attack?" "General, they are preparing a surprise for us," said De Vibrac, with a laugh. _"Peste!_ what sort of a surprise? this is the second warning I have received. Who leads the assailants?" "Monsieur de La Rochefoucauld the land forces, Espagnet, councillor of Parliament, the naval forces." "Very good!" said Canolles; "I have a little advice to give him." "Whom?" "The councillor." "What is it?" "To re-enforce the urban militia with some good, well-disciplined regiment, who can show the tradesmen how to receive a well-sustained fire." "He hasn't waited for your advice, commandant; I think he must have been more or less of a soldier before he became a man of the law, for he has enlisted the services of the Navailles regiment for this expedition." "The Navailles regiment?" "Yes." "My old regiment?" "The same. It has gone over, it seems, bag and baggage, to the princes." "Who is in command?" "Baron de Ravailly." "Indeed?" "Do you know him?" "Yes--a fine fellow, and brave as his sword. In that case it will be warmer than I supposed, and we shall have some fun." "What are your orders, commandant?" "That the posts be doubled to-night; that the troops retire fully dressed, with loaded muskets within reach. One half will stand guard, while the other half sleeps. Those who are on guard will keep out of sight behind the embankment. One moment--Have you informed anybody of the news brought by the scouts?" "Nobody." "Good; keep it secret for some little time yet. Select ten or twelve of your worst soldiers; you should have some fishermen, or poachers?" "We have only too many of them, commandant." "Well, as I was saying, select ten of them, and give them leave of absence till to-morrow morning. Let them go and throw their lines in the Garonne, and set their snares in the fields. To-night Espagnet and Monsieur de La Rochefoucauld will take them and question them." "I don't understand--" "Don't you understand that it is most essential that the assailants should believe that we are entirely unprepared for them? These men, who know nothing, will take their oaths with an air of sincerity, which will carry conviction because it will not be assumed, that we are sound asleep in our beds." "Ah! excellent!"