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room. We have two tasks to perform and each is vitally important. First, we have to contact the French royalists and concert with them the capture of Cherbourg. That task will fall to you, Major Moncrieff. Second, we have to hinder the march from St Malo of the enemy army we know to be there—a force which will be sent, we assume, to recapture Cherbourg. We leave this second task to our friends near St Malo to whom we have already sent the necessary arms and explosives. It will be for you, M de Mortemart, to tell them what to do and when. On the day arranged they will blow up the bridges, fell trees across the road and offer battle as and when they can. A march which, unopposed, might take fourteen days will require three weeks or more. By then our base at Cherbourg will be secure.”
    â€œMay we know, sir,” asked Moncrieff, “for what day the landing is planned?”
    â€œOn June 12th. I tell you that, gentlemen, in strictest secrecy.” “So my task,” said Moncrieff, “is to ensure that the insurgents capture Cherbourg before the 12th?”
    â€œOn the night of the 11th, to be exact. You’ll deliver this despatch,” said D’Auvergne, handing it over, “to a royalist leader called ‘C’ and you will explain to him the importance of attacking on the exact day. You will then remain with the royalist forces, relying on Mr Delancey to keep you in touch with me.”
    â€œAnd I suppose,” said Pierre de Mortemart, “that I am to land near St Malo?”
    â€œYes,” replied D’Auvergne. “You will proceed to Jersey in the schooner
Daphne.
You and Mr A will then use a smaller craft for the actual landing. You will deliver this despatch to a royalist leader called ‘B.’ Both landing places will be held by our royalist friends who have already had their instructions from Mr A.”
    â€œMay we know,” asked Delancey, “what landing places are to be used?”
    â€œYou will land Major Moncrieff at La Gravelle, a cove halfway between Carteret and Pointe du Rozel. Mr A will give you more precise directions.”
    â€œAny further questions?” asked D’Auvergne. After a pause he went on: “Very well, then. The
Daphne
will sail by tonight’s tide and Mr A will complete his arrangements when he reaches Jersey. The
Royalist
will sail tomorrow for Alderney, where the other part of the operation will be rehearsed.”
    There followed a half hour spent on maps, charts and diagrams, with signals and passwords described. It ended with the arrival of the lieutenant-governor, Major-General John Small, and with him Major-General the Lord Moira. They presented a sharp contrast; Small being an old soldier, straightforward, benevolent and much beloved; Moira, a young man, astute and supercilious, a born aristocrat and as much a politician as a soldier. Tired after reviewing the garrison, Small had little to say beyond uttering words of encouragement. Adding a few words, Moira assured those present that the success of Moncrieff’s mission would be followed up with vigour by a landing in force on June 12th. The operation would be covered by an inshore frigate squadron commanded by Sir James Saumarez, a Guernseyman to whom the coast was familiar. Sir James was already cruising between Guernsey and Jersey. Lord Moira then invited questions.
    â€œI have one question, my Lord,” said Moncrieff. “What will you do if I fail to reach the insurgents—if we find the landing place in enemy hands?”
    â€œI shall countermand the whole enterprise,” said Lord Moira. “For success we
must
have a seaport. If our friends in Normandy can’t give us Cherbourg we can’t give
them
what they most need—artillery. God knows we’ve had trouble enough over our field pieces and gunners. We’ve barely sufficient for our purpose. I’d never attempt landing them over an open beach.”
    The