He transmitted the message to General Hatry.
"Citizen," replied the general, "I must render account of my conduct to the First Consul.

You are his aide-de-camp, and I charge you on your return to Paris to bear testimony on my behalf to him.

What would you do in my place?
Whatever you would do, that I shall do." Roland started; his face assumed the grave expression of a man who is arguing a point of honor in his own mind.

Then, at the end of a few seconds, he said: "General, I should refuse." "Your reasons, citizen ?" demanded the general.
"The chances of a duel are problematic; you cannot subject the fate of a hundred brave men to a doubtful chance.

In an affair like this, where all are concerned, every man had better defend his own skin as best he can." "Is that your opinion, colonel ?" "On my honor." "It is also mine; carry my reply to the royalist general." Roland galloped back to Cadoudal, and delivered General Hatry's reply.
Cadoudal smiled.