He returned to Roland.
"Well, general," said the latter, "is everything satisfactory ?" "Yes, colonel, fairly so," replied the Chouan; "but you can judge for yourself in half an hour." "It will be difficult to judge of anything in that mist." Cadoudal looked about him.
"It will lift in half an hour," said he.

"Will you utilize the time by eating a mouthful and drinking a glass ?" "Faith!" said the young man, "I must admit that the ride has hollowed me." "I make a point," said Georges, "of eating the best breakfast I can before fighting." "Then you are going to fight ?" "I think so." "Against whom ?" "Why, the Republicans, and as we have to do with General Hatry, I doubt if he surrenders without resistance." "Do the Republicans know they are going to fight you ?" "They haven't the least idea." "So it is to be a surprise ?" "Not exactly, inasmuch as when the fog lifts they will see us as soon as we see them." Then, turning to the man who seemed to be in charge of the provisions, Cadoudal added, "Brise-Bleu, is there anything for breakfast ?" Brise-Bleu nodded affirmatively, went into the wood, and came out dragging after him a donkey loaded with two baskets.

He spread a cloak on a rise of the ground, and placed on it a roast chicken, a bit of cold salt pork, some bread and buckwheat cakes.

This time Brise-Bleu had provided luxury in the shape of a bottle of wine and a glass.
Cadoudal motioned Roland to the table and the improvised repast.

The young man sprang from his horse, throwing the bridle to a Chouan.
Cadoudal did likewise.
"Now," said the latter, turning to his men, "you have half an hour to do as we do.