“In what way?”
“By resuming hostilities.”
“But are you aware that Châtillon, d’Autichamp and Suzannet have laid down their arms?”
“They are the leaders of the Vendéans, and in the name of the Vendéans they can do as they see fit. I am the leader of the Chouans, and in the name of the Chouans I shall do what suits me.”
“Then you condemn this unhappy land to a war of extermination, general!”
“It is a martyrdom to which I summon all Christians and royalists.”
“General Brune is at Nantes with the eight thousand prisoners just returned to us by the English after their defeats at Alkmaar and Castricum.”
“That is the last time they will have the chance. The Blues have taught us the bad habit of not making prisoners. As for the number of our enemies, we don’t care for that; it is a mere detail.”
“If General Brune with his eight thousand men, joined to the twenty thousand he has received from General Hédouville, is not sufficient, the First Consul has decided to march against you in person with one hundred thousand men.”
Cadoudal smiled.