Lantenac was rushing on Dol, Gauvain was rushing on Lantenac. It is at Dol, that these two Breton heads are going to butt. It will be a proud collision. They are there now."
"How long does it take to go to Dol?"
"For a troop with wagons, at least three hours; but they are there."
The traveller put his hand behind his ear and said,—
"To be sure, it seems to me that I hear the cannon."
The host listened.
"Yes, citizen; and the musketry. The fight has begun. You will have to spend the night here. There is no good in going there."
"I cannot stop. I must continue my journey."
"You are wrong. I don't know your business, but the risk is great, and unless it concerns what you hold dearest in the world——"
"That is just it," replied the cavalier.
"Something like your own son——"
"Very nearly," said the cavalier.
The innkeeper raised his head and said to himself,—
"And yet this citizen seems to me like a priest."
Then, after some thought, he added,—
"After all, a priest may have children."
"Put my horse's bridle back," said the traveller. "How much do I owe you?"
And he paid him.
The host set back the trough and the bucket by the side of the wall, and then came toward the traveller.
"Since you are bound to go on, take my advice. It is clear that you are going to Saint-Malo. Well, don't go through Dol. There are two routes, the road through Dol, and the road along the sea coast. One is as short as the other. The road along by the sea goes through Saint-Georges de Brehaigne Cherrueix, and Hirelle-Vivier. You leave Dol to the south and Cancal to the north. Citizen, at the end of the street, you will find the place where the two roads meet; the one to Dol is to the left, the one to Saint-Georges de Brehaigne is to the right. Listen to me now; if you go through Dol, you will fall in the massacre. That is why you must not take the left; take the right."
"Thank you," said the traveller.
