that
you were sent to tell them to make haste. Bring them on as quickly
as possible, and have confidence in me; I will be responsible for the
success of the enterprise."

He said this, then putting spurs to his horse, galloped away. He
had deceived the men. He had no other resources. He did not have the
slightest hope of success. It was an abominable falsehood. But, if this
edifice, which he had erected with such care and labor, was to totter
and fall, he desired to be buried beneath its ruins. They would be
defeated; he was sure of it, but what did that matter? In the conflict
he would seek death and find it.

Bitter discontent pervaded the crowd at the Croix d'Arcy; and after
the passing of the officers, who had hastened to warn Lacheneur of the
disaster at Montaignac, the murmurs of dissatisfaction were changed to
curses.

These peasants, nearly two thousand in number, were indignant at not
finding their leader awaiting them at the rendezvous.

"Where is he?" they asked. "Who knows but he is afraid at the last
moment? Perhaps he is concealing himself while we are risking our lives
and the bread of our children here."

And already the epithets of mischief-maker and traitor were flying from
lip to lip, and increasing the anger in every breast.

Some were of the opinion that the crowd should disperse; others wished
to march against Montaignac without Lacheneur, and that, immediately.

But these deliberations were interrupted by the furious gallop of a
horse.

A carriage appeared, and stopped in the centre of the open space.

Two men alighted; Baron d'Escorval and Abbe Midon.

They were in advance of Lacheneur. They thought they had arrived in
time.

Alas! here, as on the Reche, all their efforts, all their entreaties,
and all their threats were futile.

They had come in the hope of arresting the movement; they only
precipitated it.

"We have gone too far to draw back," exclaimed one of the neighboring
farmers, who was the recognized leader in Lacheneur's absence. "If death
is before us, it is also behind us. To attack and conquer--that is our
only hope of salvation. Forward, then, at once. That is the only way of
disconcerting our enemies. He who hesitates is a coward! Forward!"

A shout of approval from two thousand throats replied:

"Forward!"

They unfurled the tri-color, that much regretted flag that reminded
them of so much glory, and so many great misfortunes; the drums began to
beat, and wi