Travelling south through Nevers, we should excite no suspicion.

If questioned, we can say that we are going to visit some friends at Macon.

The unfortunate thing is that we have no papers; and I think that our story had best be that we belong to Le Mans, and fled in such haste, when the town was captured by the Vendeans, that we escaped just as we stood, and omitted to bring our papers with us.
"Fortunately we all speak French without accent, and there is nothing about us to give rise to suspicion that we belong to La Vendee.

If we can think of a more likely story, as we go along, all the better.

When we get as far as Macon, if we ever get there, we can decide whether to endeavour to cross the frontier into Switzerland, or to go down to Toulon.
"Now remember, Patsey, my last injunctions are that, when you perceive from the rush of fugitives that all is over, and that any firing that may still be going on is but an attempt to cover the retreat, you must not wait for me but, as soon as the sound of combat approaches, you will ride off with Leigh.