His heart sank, as he heard the guns open in the centre of the town, and knew that they were directed against the church.
Still, there was no abatement of the fire of the defenders.

An incessant fire of musketry was maintained, not only from the church itself, but from every window in the houses around it.
At last, he heard that d'Elbee's force was but a quarter of a mile away and, running down from his lookout, he started to meet it.

It was coming at a run, the men panting and breathless, but holding on desperately, half maddened with the sound of battle.
"All is not lost yet, then ?" d'Elbee said, as he came up.
"No, sir.

The church holds out, and I could see that the peasants who have been driven out of the town have rallied, but a few hundred yards away, and are evidently only waiting for your arrival to renew the attack.

I think, sir, that if you will run up to the belfry of the church with this glass, you will be able to understand the exact situation." The officer ran up the tower, and returned in two or three minutes.
Then he led his men down towards the southeastern corner of the town.
Leigh, on hearing that d'Elbee was close at hand, sent off two messengers to Cathelineau to inform him of the fact; and he now sent off another, stating the direction in which the reinforcement was marching.
"I am going to attack at that corner, instead of in the rear," Monsieur d'Elbee said to him; for now that the duty assigned to him had been performed, Leigh thought that he would be justified in joining in the attack, with what remained of his band.