In two hours time he will have enough to do to cover our retreat." "We shall, at any rate, have the darkness in our favour," said de Lescure.
"We shall; but we have two dreadful hours of light before that time comes: here are our horses--let us mount; there is nothing for us now but a hard ride, a good drubbing--and then, the best face we can put upon it tomorrow." Orders were then given to Peter Berrier to make the best of his way across to M.d'Elbee, and to explain to him what had occurred, and bid him keep his men in reserve under arms, and as near to the waggons as he could.

"And be sure," said Catheineau, "be sure, Peter, to make him understand, that he is at once to leave the river and come across to the road, to keep his men, you know, immediately close to the waggons." "I understand," said Peter, "I understand," and he at once started off on his important errand.
"It is a bad messenger, I fear," said Cathelineau; "but we have no better; indeed we are lucky even to find him." "I wonder," said Peter Berrier to himself, as he ran across the fields, "I wonder whether they'll make nothing of this job, too, as they did of that day at St.Florent.I suppose they will; some men haven't the luck ever to be thought much of." Notwithstanding his gloomy presentiments, Peter made the best of his way to M.d'Elbee, and having found him, told him how the men had started by themselves for Saumur; how de Lescure and Cathelineau had followed them; how they intended to attack the camp at Varin that night, and he ended by saying, "And you, M.d'Elbe--" "Of course we must follow them," said d'Elbee.
"Not a foot," said Peter; "that is just why they sent me, instead of any common messenger; that I might explain it all to you properly.

You are not to stir a foot after them; but are to remain here, just where you are, till they return." "That is impossible," said d'Elbee.

"What good on earth can I do, remaining here ?" "Why, Cathelineau will know where to find you, when he wants you." "You are mistaken, Peter Berrier," said d'Elbee.

"You must be mistaken.
Perhaps he meant that I should go over to the road, to cover their retreat.