Patsey, who had had her eye fixed upon them all day, was standing at the spot where they landed.
They were near the town of Ancenis, and a portion of the Vendeans entered the place, which was wholly undefended.

The inhabitants were in abject terror, thinking that the town would be sacked; and were surprised to find that the peasants did no one any harm, and were ready to pay for anything that they required.

So long, indeed, as any money whatever remained, the Vendeans paid scrupulously.
When it was all expended, the chiefs did the only thing in their power, issuing notes promising to pay; and although these had no value, save in the good faith of the Vendeans, they were received by the Bretons as readily as the assignats of the Republic--which, indeed, like the notes of the Vendeans, were never destined to be paid.
Had the army plunged into Brittany after the capture of Saumur, there can be no doubt that the peasantry would everywhere have risen; but coming as fugitives and exiles, they were a warning rather than a source of enthusiasm; and although small numbers of peasants joined them, the accession of force was very trifling.
Jean Martin, his wife, and Leigh held an anxious consultation that evening.

They had found a poor lodging, after attending a meeting of the leaders, at which la Rochejaquelein had been unanimously elected commander-in-chief; Bonchamp having died, while d'Elbee, wounded to death, had been left at the cottage of a Breton peasant, who promised to conceal him.

The young soldier had accepted the fearful responsibility with the greatest reluctance.