There was no strong force of the enemy between Nantes and Saumur, and they halted for the night, dispirited, worn out, and filled with grief.

They had left their homes and all they cared for behind.

They were in a strange country, without aim or purpose, their only hope being that the Bretons would rise and join them--a poor hope, since the terrible vengeance that had been taken on La Vendee could not but strike terror throughout Brittany, also.
Jean Martin and Leigh had seen Patsey and the nurse placed in one of the first boats that crossed.
"Do not go far from the spot where you land," they said.

"We shall stay here, until all is over.

If the Blues come up before all have crossed, we shall swim across with our horses; be under no uneasiness about us." Taking the horse out of the shafts of the cart, and putting a saddle that they had brought with them on its back, they left the three animals in charge of Francois; and then aided other officers to keep order among the crowd, and to prevent them from pressing into the boats, as they returned from the other bank, in such numbers as to sink them.