At length when all things were in readiness for a general outbreak, he became suspected by the new authorities who appeared unexpectedly at his chateau, every part of which was searched by a detachment of four hundred national guards, while the confederates escaped by subter-raneous passages known only to themselves. After this occur-rence he placed himself in a position to resist any unauthorized attack from the violent republicans who threatened his residence and property with destruction. For this purpose he drew around him a band of devoted followers whom he trained in military exercises on foot and on horseback, causing

30 THE McDONALD PAPERS

them to mount guard by day and night for the protection of the castle. The bold attitude he thus assumed seemed to secure him from the outrage of a lawless multitude while the inhabitants of the neighboring towns and villages, the greater part of whom were now in his interests and opposed to the convention, never failed to give him the most exact inform-ation of what was passing; so that he was at all times pre-pared for domiciliary visits and other movements of the revolutionists. Among the adventurous spirits who had joined the Breton association and who were the most devotedly attached to the daring chief that conducted it, were several officers who had served under him in the United States, together with major Chafner, an American gentleman of intrepidity and enterprise and one of his most intimate friends and admirers. Major Chafner had been deeply engaged in the conspiracy from its commencement. An important and active part in the drama was reserved for him, but in which he was not to appear until the breaking out of the insurrection. The confederates were again ready to unfurl the royal banner, when some precipitate and unauthorized movements were made by their friends in Finisterre and the Ardèche.