They rode two or three miles into the mountains after crossing the Loire, and then halted.
"We must give the horses twenty-four hours here," Francois said.

"I don't think it is above twenty miles on to Chatillon-sur-Loing; but it is all through the hills, and it is of no use arriving there with the horses so knocked up as to be useless for service.

We have done three tremendous marches, and anyhow, we shall be there long before the majority of the parties from the west and south can arrive.

The Admiral and Conde will no doubt be able to gather sufficient strength, from Champagne and the north of Burgundy, for his purpose of taking the court by surprise.
"I am afraid there is but little chance of their succeeding.

It is hardly possible that so many parties of Huguenots can have been crossing the country in all directions to the Admiral's, without an alarm being given.