"We are going farther away from Rochelle," I remarked.

"Rochelle can look after itself, Edmond. It would help the Cause
considerably if Anjou would besiege the city; but he won't. As to this
march, the Admiral will explain his intentions when he thinks well."

It was at Nismes that Coligny first revealed his purpose, and it came on
most of us as a thunder-clap. Instead of returning to the scenes of our
former struggles, we were to cross the Rhone, march through Dauphigny,
and threaten Paris from the east. The proposal was so bold and audacious
that it fairly took away our breath, and we gazed at each other in
astonishment. But the hot-headed ones, and Felix among them, cheered the
speech with all the vigour of their lungs, more than making up for the
silence of the rest.

"Soldiers," said the Admiral, "there are my plans, but I do not force
you to obey me. Those whose courage fails must stop behind and return to
their homes, but I will march though not more than five hundred should
follow my banner. Think well before you agree. The journey is long,
perilous, and full of hardship. We shall find few friends and many
enemies; our provisions may fail, and Monseigneur will certainly send a
strong army to bar our passage. It is an undertaking for only the
bravest; the weak-kneed will but hinder."

"We will follow you to the death, my lord," cried Felix impetuously, and
thousands of voices took up the bold cry.

"I will ask you to-morrow," said our chief; "for when once we have
started I must have no faltering, nor turning back."