The Chevalier de Valois,
the Marquis d'Esgrignon, and the Troisvilles were, it was said,
corresponding with these leaders in the department of the Orne. The
chief of the great plan of operations which was thus developing slowly
but in formidable proportions was really "the Gars,"--a name given by
the Chouans to the Marquis de Montauran on his arrival from England.
The information sent to Hulot by the War department proved correct in
all particulars. The marquis gained after a time sufficient ascendancy
over the Chouans to make them understand the true object of the war,
and to persuade them that the excesses of which they were guilty
brought disgrace upon the cause they had adopted. The daring nature,
the nerve, coolness, and capacity of this young nobleman awakened the
hopes of all the enemies of the Republic, and suited so thoroughly the
grave and even solemn enthusiasm of those regions that even the least
zealous partisans of the king did their part in preparing a decisive
blow in behalf of the defeated monarchy.
Hulot received no answer to the questions and the frequent reports
which he addressed to the government in Paris.
But the news of the almost magical return of General Bonaparte and the
events of the 18th Brumaire were soon current in the air. The military
commanders of the West understood then the silence of the ministers.
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