“Well, what are the Blues doing?”
“Scaring themselves about dying of hunger if you blockade the town. In order to procure provisions General Hatry intends to carry off the supplies at Grandchamp. The general is to command the raid in person; and, to act more quickly, only a hundred men are to go.”
“Are you tired, Bénédicité?”
“Never, general.”
“And your horse?”
“He came fast, but he can do twelve or fifteen miles more without killing himself.”
“Give him two hours’ rest, a double feed of oats, and make him do thirty.”
“On those conditions he can do them.”
“Start in two hours. Be at Grandchamp by daybreak. Give the order in my name to evacuate the village. I’ll take care of General Hatry and his column. Is that all you have to say?”
“No, I heard other news.”