He was therefore forced to retrace his steps and to follow them and, on overtaking them, found that they had already carried the bridge, driven away the enemy, and occupied the town.
The enemy were closing round them, but the capture of Pontorson deranged the plans of the Republicans.

The place had been held by four thousand men and ten pieces of cannon and, as it could be approached only by a narrow defile, it was believed that it would be impossible for the Vendeans to force their way into it.

However, after three hours' fighting, their desperate valour won the day, and the Republicans were routed, with the loss of most of their cannon.
The affair, indeed, appeared to the peasants to be a miracle granted in their favour; and with renewed heart they marched the next night to Dol.

Kleber was with a large force in this neighbourhood, but the impetuosity of Westermann again upset his plans.

As soon as the latter heard that Pontorson had been carried by the Vendeans, and that they had marched to Dol, he pursued them with three thousand infantry, two hundred cavalry, and four cannon.
He arrived within a short distance of Dol at six in the evening and, without waiting for the infantry to come up, charged into the town, and for a moment spread confusion among the Vendeans.
[Illustration: Westermann's cavalry charged into the streets of Dol.] They, however, soon recovered from their surprise, and drove the enemy out with loss.