The first question was the selection of a chief officer.  Cathelineau had been named before the battle of Saumur; but, as he himself alleged, his command was to last only during that siege; he had been, he said, selected for a special purpose, which purpose, by the grace of God, was accomplished, and he was now ready to resign his commission into the hands of those who had given it to him.

“I am not so foolish,” said he, “as to suppose that I am qualified to take the command in the war which we have now to carry on.  No; one privilege I beg to exercise on retiring from my command.  I will name a successor; let any one who pleases name another; we will then put it to the vote, and let him who has most votes be our General.”

“So be it,” said Henri.  “Nothing can be better.”

“I name M. de Lescure,” said Cathelineau.  “Some of us are beloved by the people, but are not educated; others are highly educated, but are not yet known to the peasants.  We are all, I am sure, brave men:  but M. de Lescure is beloved by all; his knowledge fits him for his high position, and his cool, constant, determined courage, no man who has seen him in the hour of battle will doubt.  I name M. de Lescure.”

De Lescure was about to rise, when Henri put his hand upon his friends arm, and said: 

“Let me speak, Charles.  We all know that what Cathelineau has said of my cousin is no more than the truth.  Be still, Charles:  when I have spoken you can then say what you please, but I am sure you will agree with me.  Nevertheless, I will not give my vote that he be our chief General.  Cathelineau has desired that any one differing from him should name another, and that the question should then be put to the vote.  I differ from him, and, therefore, I name another.  I name the good Cathelineau, the Saint of Anjou.”

“Now let us vote,” said the Prince de Talmont.  “Come, Bonchamps, do you begin.”

“I never heard of deposing a Commander-in-Chief in consequence of a complete victory,” said Bonchamps.  “The Convention murders their Generals when they are defeated, but even the Convention rewards them for victory.  I vote for Cathelineau.”

“And you, Foret,” said the Prince.

“I say Cathelineau,” said Foret:  “the peasants generally would be disappointed to see any put above him.”

“I certainly vote for Cathelineau,” said Father Jerome, who came next.

“We should be offending our Creator,” said M. d’Elbee, “were we to reject the great and good Commander, whom His gracious providence has sent us.  I vote for Cathelineau.”