"Forward!" cried Hulot.
The company moved quickly to the higher and more open ground on which
the picket guard was already stationed. There, the commander formed
his troop once more into line of battle; but, as the Chouans made no
further hostile demonstrations, he began to think that the deliverance
of the conscripts might have been the sole object of the ambuscade.
"Their cries," he said to his two friends, "prove that they are not
numerous. We'll advance at a quick step, and possibly we may be able
to reach Ernee without getting them on our backs."
These words were overheard by one of the patriot conscripts, who
stepped from the ranks, and said respectfully:--
"General, I have already fought the Chouans; may I be allowed a word?"
"A lawyer," whispered Hulot to Merle. "They always want to harangue.
Argue away," he said to the young man.
"General, the Chouans have no doubt brought arms for those escaped
recruits. Now, if we try to outmarch them, they will catch us in the
woods and shoot every one of us before we can get to Ernee. We must
argue, as you call it, with cartridges. During the skirmish, which
will last more time than you think for, some of us ought to go back
and fetch the National Guard and the militia from Fougeres."
"Then you think there are a good many Chouans?"
"Judge for yourself, citizen commander.
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