Many of the peasants were still absent, others had returned but a few hours before, worn out and dispirited.

But when on the following day the news came that Westermann's troops were burning villages, and slaying all who fell into their hands, and that Monsieur de Lescure's chateau had been burnt, fury and indignation again fired them and, that night, the greater part of them set out for Moulin.
"I wonder what has become of our horses," Jean said, as he prepared to start.

"We shall never hear any more of those we left at Nantes.
We must go on foot this time, and trust to getting hold of a couple of horses, the first time we defeat the Blues." He had that day been over with Patsey, her child, his father, the nurse, and Francois to the peasant's house, deep in the forest, to which he had before arranged that she should go, in case of need.
All the party were dressed as peasants.

The man and woman from whom the house was hired removed to another hut, a quarter of a mile away.

Francois was to go down every day in the cart to the village, to get news and letters and buy provisions.