"Gentlemen, this is what we must do. We have 3,000 men, and you say you expect 2,000 more, Mornay?"
"Yes, sire."
"That will make 5,000. In a regular siege we should lose 1,000 or 1,500 men in two months, their death would discourage the others, and we should lose 1,000 more in retreating. Let us sacrifice 500 men at once, and take Cahors by assault."
"What do you mean, sire?" asked Mornay.
"My dear friend, we will go straight to the nearest gate. We shall find a fosse in our way, which we will cover with fascines; we may leave two hundred men on the road, but we shall reach the gate."
"After, sire?"
"Then we will break it down with petards and go in. It will not be difficult."
Chicot looked at Henri, astonished.
"Oh!" growled he, "perhaps he is a coward and a boaster."
"Let us not lose time, gentlemen," cried Henri. "Forward, and let all who love me follow."