Bid him force his way through the hedge to the right, when he gets to the corner." The young officer turned quickly to obey the command of his General, and had already put his spur to the horse's flank, when another broad flash of light streamed through the hedge on the left, and the horseman and horse fell to the ground, and were mingled with a heap of wounded and dying.

Young Gerard did not live long enough to be conscious of the blow which killed him.

Another volley of musketry followed the cannon shot, and hardly left a man standing of those who had been the foremost.

The attack had taken place so quickly, that the Vendeans had not yet had time to load again; but one of two cannons had been kept as a reserve, and about a hundred muskets had not been fired till de Lescure gave the word of command.

The first attack was made under the direction of Henri Larochejaquelin.
Westerman was standing between the hedge and the mounted officer, when the latter fell with his horse, and the blood from the poor animal nearly covered him from head to foot.