Now that we have done it, you may be sure that they will strain every effort to prevent us from returning.

Probably, by this time, half their forces are marching to cross at Nantes.

The other half are pressing on to Saumur.

In three or four days they will be united again, and will be between us and the river.
"Were we a smaller body, were we only men, I should say that we ought to march another twenty miles north, then sweep round either east or west and, while the enemy followed the north bank of the river to effect a junction, we should march all night without a halt, pass them, and hurl ourselves either upon Saumur or Nantes, and so return to La Vendee.

But with such a host as this, there would be little hope of success.