, colonel, be so good as to mount your horse, make yourself known
to him, and deliver my proposal."

"Very well," replied Roland.

"The colonel's horse," said Cadoudal, motioning to the Chouan who
was watching it. The man led it up. The young man sprang upon it, and
rapidly covered the distance which separated him from the convoy.

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 gra