after this declaration, shall dare to resist the national
sovereignty.

"Well," said Hulot, after the public reading of this Consular manifesto,
"Isn't that paternal enough? But you'll see that not a single royalist
brigand will be changed by it."

The commandant was right. The proclamation merely served to strengthen
each side in their own convictions. A few days later Hulot and his
colleagues received reinforcements. The new minister of war notified
them that General Brune was appointed to command the troops in the west
of France. Hulot, whose experience was known to the government, had
provisional control in the departments of the Orne and Mayenne. An
unusual activity began to show itself in the government offices.
Circulars from the minister of war and the minister of police gave
notice that vigorous measures entrusted to the military commanders would
be taken to stifle the insurrection at its birth. But the Chouans and
the Vendeans had profited by the inaction of the Directory to rouse
the whole region and virtually take possession of it. A new Consular
proclamation was therefore issued. This time, it was the general
speaking to his troops:--

SOLDIERS:

There are none but brigands, _emigres_, and hirelings of England
now remaining in the West.

The army is composed of more than fifty thousand brave men. Let me
speedily hear from them that the rebel chiefs have ceased to live.
Glory is won by toil alone; if it could be had by living in
barracks in a town, all would have it.

Soldiers, whatever be the rank you hold in the army, the gratitude
of the nation awaits you. To be worthy of it, you must brave the
inclemencies of weather, ice, snow, and the excessive coldness of
the nights; you must surprise your enemies at daybreak, and
exterminate those wretches, the disgrace of France.

Make a short and sure campaign; be inexorable to those brigands,
and maintain strict discipline.

National Guards, join the strength of your arms to that of the
line.

If you know among you any men who fraternize with the brigands,
arrest them. Let them find no refuge; pursue them; if traitors
dare to harbor and defend them, let them perish together.

"What a man!" cried Hulot. "It is just as it was in the army of
Italy--he rings in the mass, and he says it himself. Don't you call that
talking, hey?"

"Yes, but he speaks by himself and in his own name," said Gerard, who
began to fe