Sunday, the tenth of March, had been fixed for the drawing and, as the day approached, the peasants became more and more determined that they would not permit themselves to be dragged away from their homes.
Three days before, a party of the tenants, together with some from adjoining estates, had come up to the chateau.

Jean Martin at once came out to them.
"We have come, monsieur, to ask if you will lead us.

We are determined that we will not be carried off like sheep." "There you are right," Jean said; "but although I shall be ready to do my share of fighting, I do not wish to be a leader.

In the first place, there are many gentlemen of far larger possessions and of higher rank than myself, who would naturally be your leaders.

There is the Marquis de Lescure at Clisson, and with him are several other noble gentlemen, among them Henri de la Rochejaquelein--he is a cavalry officer.