As if to save him part of the way, Cadoudal put his horse to a gallop.

But a hundred feet from Cadoudal he drew rein.

"Attention!" he said to Branche-d'Or and his companions.
"Don't be alarmed, general; here we are," said Branche-d'Or.
Cadoudal drew a pistol from his holster and cocked it.

Roland, sabre in hand, was charging, crouched on his horse's neck.

When they were twenty paces apart, Cadoudal slowly raised his hand in Roland's direction.